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Introduction |
Clipperton Island |
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| 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. |
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Geography |
Clipperton Island |
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| 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 |
| Climate |
tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October) |
| Coastline |
11.1 km |
| Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
| Environment - current issues |
NA |
| Geographic coordinates |
10 17 N, 109 13 W |
| Geography - note |
reef 12 km in circumference |
| Irrigated land |
0 sq km |
| Land boundaries |
0 km |
| Land use |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (all coral) (2005) |
| Location |
Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico |
| Map references |
Political Map of the World |
| Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Natural hazards |
NA |
| Natural resources |
fish |
| Terrain |
coral atoll |
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| Population |
uninhabited |
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Transportation |
Clipperton Island |
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| Ports and terminals |
none; offshore anchorage only |
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Government |
Clipperton Island |
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| 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 |
| Flag description |
the flag of France is used |
| Legal system |
the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
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Economy |
Clipperton Island |
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| Economy - overview |
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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Military |
Clipperton Island |
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| Military - note |
defense is the responsibility of France |
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Transnational Issues |
Clipperton Island |
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| Disputes - international |
none |
