The World Factbook. 2008.
Glorioso Islands
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| Background: | 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. |
| Geography | |
| Location: | Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar |
| Geographic coordinates: | 11 30 S, 47 20 E |
| Map references: | Africa |
| Area: | total: 5 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock water: 0 sq km land: 5 sq km |
| Area—comparative: | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 35.2 km |
| Maritime claims: | exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
| Climate: | tropical |
| Terrain: | low and flat |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m |
| Natural resources: | guano, coconuts |
| Land use: | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (1998 est.) |
| Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
| Natural hazards: | periodic cyclones |
| Environment—current issues: | NA |
| Geography—note: | the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system |
| People | |
| Population: | no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2003 est.) |
| Government | |
| Country name: | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local short form: Iles Glorieuses local long form: none |
| Dependency status: | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
| Legal system: | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | none (possession of France) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | none (possession of France) |
| Flag description: | the flag of France is used |
| Economy | |
| Economy—overview: | no economic activity |
| Communications | |
| Communications—note: | 1 meteorological station |
| Transportation | |
| Waterways: | none |
| Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Airports: | 1 (2002) |
| Airports—with unpaved runways: | total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) |
| Military | |
| Military—note: | defense is the responsibility of France |
| Transnational Issues | |
| Disputes—international: | claimed by Madagascar |