Introduction

Background: |  |
`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

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: 243 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) (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`0 sq km`
Natural hazards: |  |
`NA`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`NA`
Geography - note: |  |
`reef 12 km in circumference`

People

Population: |  |
`uninhabited`

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, where applicable, apply`
Flag description: |  |
`the flag of France is used`

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.`

Transportation

Ports and terminals: |  |
`none; offshore anchorage only`

Military

Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of France`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 25, 2011