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| 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. |
| Geography and Environmental |
| Area Total: 6 sq km |
| Area Land: 6 sq km |
| Area Water: 0 sq km |
| Area Comparative: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
| Coastline: 11.1 km |
| 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 |
| Elevation Extremes Highest Point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m |
| Natural Resources: fish |
| Land Use Arable Land: 0% |
| Land Use Permanent Crops: 0% |
| Land Use Other: 100% (all coral) (2005) |
| Irrigated Land: 0 sq km |
| Natural Hazards: NA |
| Environment Current Issues: NA |
| Geography Note: reef 12 km in circumference |
| Population |
| Population: uninhabited |
| Legal System: the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
| 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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| Transportation |
| Disputes International: none |
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