ARCHIVE // RE // 2005
Glorioso Islands
2005 Edition — territory
Communications
Communications - note
[time series]
1 meteorological station
Economy
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
no economic activity
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Area - comparative
[time series]
about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
[time series]
tropical
Coastline
[time series]
35.2 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
NA
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
11 30 S, 47 20 E
Geography - note
[time series]
the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system
Irrigated land
[time series]
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)
Location
[time series]
Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Map references
[time series]
Africa
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
periodic cyclones
Natural resources
[time series]
guano, coconuts
Terrain
[time series]
low and flat
Government
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses
Dependency status
[time series]
possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
none (possession of France)
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
the flag of France is used
Legal system
[time series]
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Introduction
Background
[time series]
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.
Military
Military - note
[time series]
defense is the responsibility of France
People
Population
[time series]
no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
claimed by Madagascar
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
[time series]
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Ports
(Ports and harbors)
[time series]
none; offshore anchorage only