| Introduction | Glorioso Islands |
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Background:
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A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. |
| Geography | Glorioso Islands |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar |
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Geographic coordinates:
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11 30 S, 47 20 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock |
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Area - comparative:
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about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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35.2 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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tropical |
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Terrain:
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low and flat |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 12 m |
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Natural resources:
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guano, coconuts |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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periodic cyclones |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system |
| People | Glorioso Islands |
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Population:
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no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.) |
| Government | Glorioso Islands |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses |
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Dependency status:
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possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
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Legal system:
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the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (possession of France) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (possession of France) |
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Flag description:
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the flag of France is used |
| Economy | Glorioso Islands |
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Economy - overview:
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no economic activity |
| Communications | Glorioso Islands |
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Communications - note:
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1 meteorological station |
| Transportation | Glorioso Islands |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
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Airports:
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1 (2004 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
| Military | Glorioso Islands |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Glorioso Islands |
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Disputes - international:
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claimed by Madagascar |
Sources: The CIA World Fact Book and other public domain Internet sites
