Published on November 12, 2009

Country Report

Clipperton Island

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

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