Clipperton Island

Clipperton Island as the 2002 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 28 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

Position10 17 N, 109 13 W
Area6 sq km
LocationMiddle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Populationas each edition published it
2,002 people July 2002 est. · 2,000 in 2000

Introduction

1 field

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

Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico

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Land useshare of 6 sq km

permanent crops 0%other 100% (all coral) (1998 est.)arable land 0% in all · irrigated 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Area
6sq km
water: 0 sq kmland: 6 sq kmabout 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Coastline
11.1km
land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Highest point
29m
Rocher Clippertonlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Location

Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico

Geographic coordinates

10 17 N, 109 13 W

Map references

Political Map of the World

Climate

tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October

Terrain

coral atoll

Geography - note

reef 12 km in circumference

People

1 field
Population
2002est.)
uninhabited (July

Government

4 fields

Country name

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Clipperton Island
local short form:
Ile Clipperton
local long form:
none
former:
sometimes called Ile de la Passion

Dependency status

possession of France; administered by France from French Polynesia by a high commissioner of the Republic

Flag description

the flag of France is used

Economy

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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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

2 fields

Ports and harbors

none; offshore anchorage only

Military

1 field

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues

1 field

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Clipperton Island.” The World Factbook 2002. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/clipperton-island/2002.