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Clipperton Island (France) : The World Factbook



Original from The World Factbook at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html

Introduction

Background: :: This isolated atoll was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who was rumored to have made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855 and claimed by the United States, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France in 1931, which took possession in 1935. ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

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 country comparison to the world: 245 land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km
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: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: :: tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October)
Terrain: :: coral atoll
Elevation extremes: :: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Natural resources: :: fish
Land use: :: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2011)
Natural hazards: :: NA
Environment - current issues: :: NA
Geography - note: :: the atoll reef is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) in circumference; an effort to colonize the atoll in the early 20th century ended in disaster and was abandoned in 1917 ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

People and Society

Population: :: uninhabited ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

Government

Country name: :: 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
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 ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

Economy

Economy - overview: :: Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

Transportation

Ports and terminals: :: none; offshore anchorage only ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

Military

Military - note: :: defense is the responsibility of France ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: :: none ::
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/countrytemplate_ip.html