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Bassas da India   Click to enlarge	Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues
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Legend: Definition of Term Arranged by Countries Field Listing    Introduction    Bassas da India Top of Page Background: This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.    Geography    Bassas da India Top of Page 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: 0.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.2 sq km Area - comparative: 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 Climate: tropical Terrain: volcanic rock Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2.4 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all rock) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano    People    Bassas da India Top of Page Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)    Government    Bassas da India Top of Page Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bassas da India Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply Flag description: the flag of France is used    Economy    Bassas da India Top of Page Economy - overview: no economic activity    Communications    Bassas da India Top of Page    Transportation    Bassas da India Top of Page Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only    Military    Bassas da India Top of Page Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France    Transnational Issues    Bassas da India Top of Page Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

Source:
The World Factbook 2002
Updated: 19 March 2003