from
CIA World Factbook 2006
Iles Eparses
Introduction
Background: The Iles Eparses, or scattered islands, are a group of
five French entities - Bassas da India, Europa Island,
Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin
Island - which on 1 April 1960 came under the authority
of the Minister in charge of overseas possessions. On
19 September 1960 by decree, the islands were
transferred to the charge of the Prefet of Reunion
where they remained until 3 January 2005 when they were
transferred by another decree to the Senior
Administrator of the Territory of the French Southern
and Antarctic Lands (TAAF).
Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this
atoll is a volcanic seamount surrounded by reefs and
awash at high tide.
Europa Island: A French possession since 1897, the
island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small
military garrison that staffs a weather station.
Glorioso Islands: 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.
Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century
Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a
French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for
its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military
garrison oversees a meteorological station.
Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776,
the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in
1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary
and is the site of an important meteorological station.
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, in the Indian Ocean
Bassas da India: atoll in the southern Mozambique
Channel, about half way from Madagascar to Mozambique
Europa Island: island in the Mozambique Channel, about
half way between southern Madagascar and southern
Mozambique
Glorioso Islands: group of islands in the Indian Ocean,
northwest of Madagascar
Juan de Nova Island: island in the Mozambique Channel,
about one-third of the way between Madagascar and
Mozambique
Tromelin Island: island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar
Geographic Bassas da India: 21 30 S, 39 50 E
coordinates: Europa Island: 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Glorioso Islands: 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Juan de Nova Island: 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Tromelin Island: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map Africa
references:
Area: Bassas da India: total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km;
water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
Europa Island: total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water
- 0 sq km
Glorioso Islands: total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
Juan de Nova Island: total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq
km; water - 0 sq km
Tromelin Island: total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water
- 0 sq km
Area - Bassas da India: land area about one-third the size of
comparative: The Mall in Washington, DC
Europa Island: about one-sixth the size of Washington,
DC
Glorioso Islands: about eight times the size of The
Mall in Washington, DC
Juan de Nova Island: about seven times the size of The
Mall in Washington, DC
Tromelin Island: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall
in Washington, DC
Land none
boundaries:
Coastline: Bassas da India: 35.2 km
Europa Island: 22.2 km
Glorioso Islands: 35.2 km
Juan de Nova Island: 24.1 km
Tromelin Island: 3.7 km
Maritime territorial sea: 12 nm
claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; note - Juan de Nova
Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: tropical
Terrain: Bassas da India: atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15
m) lagoon
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island:
low, flat, and sandy
Tromelin Island: low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic
seamount
Elevation lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
extremes: highest point: Bassas da India 2.4 m; Europa Island 24
m; Glorioso Islands 12 m; Juan de Nova Island 10 m;
Tromelin Island 7 m (all unnamed locations)
Natural Bassas da India and Europa Island: none
resources: Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova Island: guano,
phosphates; coconuts
Tromelin Island: fish
Land use: Bassas da India - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand;
Europa Island - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands;
Glorioso Islands - 100% lush vegetation and coconut
palms; Juan de Nova Island - 90% forest, 10% other;
Tromelin Island - 100% grasses and scattered brush
Natural all islands subject to periodic cyclones
hazards: Bassas da India: maritime hazard since it is under
water for a period of three hours prior to and
following the high tide and surrounded by reefs
Geography - Bassas da India: the atoll is a circular reef that sits
note: atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island: wildlife
sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles
Glorioso Islands: the islands and rocks are surrounded
by an extensive reef system
Tromelin Island: climatologically important location
for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean;
wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
People
Population: Bassas da India: uninhabitable
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: a
small French military garrison and a few meteorologists
on each possession; visited by scientists
Tromelin Island: uninhabited, except for visits by
scientists
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bassas da India, Europa
Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, Tromelin
Island
local long form: none
local short form: Bassas da India, Ile Europa, Iles
Glorieuses, Ile Juan de Nova, Ile Tromelin
Dependency possessions of France; administered by the Senior
status: Administrator of the Territory of the French Southern
and Antarctic Lands (TAAF), resident in Reunion
Legal system: the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Executive chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France
branch: (since 17 May 1995), represented by Senior
Administrator Michel CHAMPON
Flag the flag of France is used
description:
Economy
Economy - no economic activity
overview:
Communications
Communications Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island,
- note: Tromelin Island: 1 meteorological station on each
possession; note - meteorological station on Tromelin
Island is important for forecasting cyclones
Transportation
Airports: 4 (2006)
Ports and none; offshore anchorage only
terminals:
Transportation aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m;
- note: Juan de Nova Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW
point) 11m
Military
Military - defense is the responsibility of France
note:
Transnational
Issues
Disputes - Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan
international: de Nova Island: claimed by Madagascar
Tromelin Island: claimed by Mauritius