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
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
This page was last updated on 1 May, 2008