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 kmAreacomparative :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 NMClimate :tropical Terrain :low and flat Elevation extremes :lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 mNatural 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 Environmentcurrent issues :NA Geographynote :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: noneDependency 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 Economyoverview :no economic activity Communications Communicationsnote :1 meteorological station Transportation Waterways :none Ports and harbors :none; offshore anchorage only Airports :1 (2002) Airportswith unpaved runways :total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military Militarynote :defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputesinternational :claimed by Madagascar