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Juan de Nova Island    Introduction Top of Page
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Background: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.
Juan de Nova Island    Geography Top of Page
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Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total:  4.4 sq km

land:  4.4 sq km

water:  0 sq km
Area - comparative: about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 24.1 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf:  200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:  200 NM

territorial sea:  12 NM
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point:  Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:  unnamed location 10 m
Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers
Land use: arable land:  0%

permanent crops:  0%

permanent pastures:  0%

forests and woodland:  90%

other:  10%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary
Juan de Nova Island    People Top of Page
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Population: no indigenous inhabitants

note:  there is a small French military garrison (July 2001 est.)
Juan de Nova Island    Government Top of Page
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Country name: conventional long form:  none

conventional short form:  Juan de Nova Island

local long form:  none

local short form:  Ile Juan de Nova
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
Juan de Nova Island    Economy Top of Page
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Economy - overview: Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year.
Juan de Nova Island    Communications Top of Page
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Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
Juan de Nova Island    Transportation Top of Page
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Railways: total:  NA km; short line going to a jetty
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total:  1

914 to 1,523 m:  1 (2000 est.)
Juan de Nova Island    Military Top of Page
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Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Juan de Nova Island    Transnational Issues Top of Page
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Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar