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Introduction
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues
This page was last updated on 19 September, 2006
Definition
Field Listing
Rank Order
| Introduction | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Background:
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This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935. |
| Geography | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Location:
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Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico |
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Geographic coordinates:
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10 17 N, 109 13 W |
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Map references:
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Political Map of the World |
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Area:
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total: 6 sq km land: 6 sq km water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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11.1 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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Climate:
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tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) |
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Terrain:
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coral atoll |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all coral) (2005) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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reef 12 km in circumference |
| People | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2006 est.) |
| Government | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Country name:
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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 |
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Dependency status:
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possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic |
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Legal system:
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the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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the flag of France is used |
| Economy | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Economy - overview:
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Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing. |
| Transportation | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Clipperton Island | Top of Page |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
This page was last updated on 19 September, 2006
