CIA World Fact Book, 2004/Tromelin Island

Tromelin Island
map of Tromelin Island


Introduction Tromelin Island
Background: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.


Geography Tromelin Island
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 1 sq km
Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (2001)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)


People Tromelin Island
Population: uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2004 est.)


Government Tromelin Island
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island
local short form: Ile Tromelin
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
Flag description: the flag of France is used


Economy Tromelin Island
Economy - overview: no economic activity


Communications Tromelin Island
Communications - note: important meteorological station


Transportation Tromelin Island
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)


Military Tromelin Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

This page was last updated on 1 January 2003


This is a snapshot of the CIA World Fact Book as it existed on 26 March 2005