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Introduction

Glorioso Islands

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Background:

A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Geography

Glorioso Islands

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Location:	Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:	11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references:	Africa
Area:	total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Area - comparative:	about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:	0 km
Coastline:	35.2 km
Maritime claims:	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:	tropical
Terrain:	low and flat
Elevation extremes:	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources:	guano, coconuts
Land use:	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2001)
Irrigated land:	0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:	periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues:	NA
Geography - note:	the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system

People

Glorioso Islands

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Population:

no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2005 est.)

Government

Glorioso Islands

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Country name:	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:	none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:	none (possession of France)
Flag description:	the flag of France is used

Economy

Glorioso Islands

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Economy - overview:

no economic activity

Communications

Glorioso Islands

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Communications - note:

1 meteorological station

Transportation

Glorioso Islands

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Ports and harbors:	none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:	1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military

Glorioso Islands

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Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues

Glorioso Islands

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Disputes - international:

claimed by Madagascar

This page was last updated on 17 May, 2005