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 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 kmAreacomparative :about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries :0 km Coastline :3.7 km Maritime claims :continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NMClimate :tropical Terrain :low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic Elevation extremes :lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 mNatural resources :fish Land use :arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.)Irrigated land :0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards :NA Environmentcurrent issues :NA Geographynote :climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) People Population :uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.) Government Country name :conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local short form: Ile Tromelin 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 Flag description :the flag of France is used Economy Economyoverview :no economic activity Communications Communicationsnote :important meteorological station Transportation Waterways :none Ports and harbors :none; offshore anchorage only Airports :1 (2002) Airportswith unpaved runways :total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002) Military Militarynote :defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputesinternational :claimed by Mauritius