Clipperton Island Intelligence Report
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Introduction
Background
This remote atoll is named after John CLIPPERTON, an English pirate believed to have used it as a refuge in the early 18th century. France annexed the island in 1855, and it was subsequently claimed by the United States, but was taken over by Mexico in 1897. In 1931, arbitration granted ownership of the island to France, which formally took control in 1935.
Geography
Area
land
6 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
6 sq km
Climate
tropical; moist, mean temperature ranges from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius, rainy season (May through October)
Terrain
coral atoll
Land use
other
100% (2018 est.)
forest
0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2018 est.)
Location
Middle America, located in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km to the southwest of Mexico
Coastline
11.1 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Rocher Clipperton 29 m
Map references
Political Map of the World
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
prone to tropical storms and hurricanes between May and October
Geography - note
the circumference of the atoll reef is roughly 12 km (7.5 mi)
Natural resources
fish
Area - comparative
approximately 12 times larger than the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
10 17 N, 109 13 W
People & Society
Population
total
uninhabited
Environment
Climate
tropical; characterized by high humidity, with an average temperature ranging from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius, experiencing a wet season from May to October
Land use
other
100% (2018 est.)
forest
0% (2018 est.)
agricultural land
0% (2018 est.)
Environmental issues
lacking natural resources, with guano deposits exhausted; features a stagnant freshwater lagoon
Government
Flag
the banner of France is utilized
Country name
former
sometimes referred to as Ile de la Passion or Atoll Clipperton
etymology
named after an 18th-century English pirate who is alleged to have used the island as a base starting in 1705
local long form
none
local short form
Ile Clipperton
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Clipperton Island
Legal system
the legislation of France is enforced
Dependency status
territory of France; governed directly by the Minister of Overseas France
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military & Security
Military - note
The obligation of defense lies with France.
