Careers, Opportunities in Ministry
| Introduction | Bassas da India |
|
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 |
|
Location:
|
Southern Africa, islands in the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from Madagascar to Mozambique |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
Population:
|
uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
| Government |
|
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 |
| Economy |
|
Economy - overview:
|
no economic activity |
| Transportation |
|
Waterways:
|
none |
|
Ports and harbors:
|
none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military |
|
Military - note:
|
defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues |
|
Disputes - international:
|
claimed by Madagascar |
This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004