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Clipperton Islands
North America :: Clipperton Island
(possession of France)
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| page last updated on
May 27, 2010 |
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| Introduction
::Clipperton Island |
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.
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| Geography ::Clipperton Island |
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
43
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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Current Weather
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
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| People ::Clipperton
Island |
| Government ::Clipperton Island |
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 directly by the Minister of Overseas France
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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
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| Economy ::Clipperton
Island |
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.
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| Transportation
::Clipperton Island |
Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore anchorage only
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| Military ::Clipperton Island |
Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of
France
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| Transnational Issues
::Clipperton Island |
Disputes -
international:
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none
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