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From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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Bassas da India

(½" Thumbnail of Flag)
(possession of France)

Map

Location: 21 30 S, 39 50 E -- Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique

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Flag

Description: the flag of France is used

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Geography

Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 0.2 sq km
land area: 0.2 sq km
comparative area: about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 35.2 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar
Climate: tropical
Terrain: a volcanic rock 2.4 meters high
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all rock)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
international agreements: NA

People

Population: uninhabited

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India
Data code: BS
Type of government: French possession administered by a Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used

Economy

Economic overview: no economic activity

Transportation

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Defense

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France

Bassas da India

Original publicaton at http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/nsolo/wfb-all.htm (June 17, 1997).