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From: The CIA'sTHE WORLD FACTBOOK 1996

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Clipperton Island

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

Map

Location: 10 17 N, 109 13 W -- Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico

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Flag

Description: the flag of France is used

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Geography

Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 7 sq km
land area: 7 sq km
comparative area: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 11.1 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Mexico
Climate: tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October
Terrain: coral atoll
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 21 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (all coral)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: subject to tornadoes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: reef about 8 km in circumference

People

Population: uninhabited

Government

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Clipperton
former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Data code: IP
Type of government: French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by the High Commissioner of the Republic
Capital: none; administered by France from French Polynesia
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used

Economy

Economic overview: The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.

Transportation

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Defense

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France

Clipperton Island

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