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Clipperton Island
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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 |
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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: | 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
water: 0 sq km land: 6 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 - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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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, rains May-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) (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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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 |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
| Government | Clipperton Island |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island local short form: Ile Clipperton local long form: none 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 |
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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 |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Ports and harbors:
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none; offshore anchorage only |
| Military | Clipperton Island |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | Clipperton Island |
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Disputes - international:
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none |