Clipperton Island

Descriptive text is not available for this image

Introduction

Background

This isolated atoll was named for John CLIPPERTON, an English pirate who was rumored to have made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855 and claimed by the US, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France in 1931, which took possession in 1935.

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

Political Map of the World

Area

total: 6 sq km
land: 6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 248

Area - comparative

about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

11.1 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm

Climate

tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October)

Terrain

coral atoll

Elevation

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m

Natural resources

fish

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2011 est.)

Natural hazards

subject to tropical storms and hurricanes from May to October

Environment - current issues

no natural resources, guano deposits depleted; the ring-shaped atoll encloses a stagnant fresh-water lagoon

Geography - note

the atoll reef is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) in circumference; an attempt to colonize the atoll in the early 20th century ended in disaster and was abandoned in 1917

People and Society

Population

uninhabited

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Clipperton
former: sometimes referred to as Ile de la Passion or Atoll Clipperton
etymology: named after an 18th-century English pirate who supposedly used the island as a base

Dependency status

possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France

Legal system

the laws of France apply

Flag description

the flag of France is used

Economy

Economy - overview

Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, tuna fishing is the only economically viable species.

Military and Security

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France

Transportation

Ports and terminals

none; offshore anchorage only

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Flag of Clipperton Island

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