This isolated atoll was named for John CLIPPERTON, an English pirate who was rumored to have made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855 and claimed by the US, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France in 1931, which took possession in 1935.
Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
10 17 N, 109 13 W
Political Map of the World
total: 6 sq km
land: 6 sq km
water: 0 sq km
about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
0 km
11.1 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October)
coral atoll
mean elevation: NA
elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
fish
agricultural land: 0%
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
forest: 0%
other: 100% (all coral) (2011 est.)
NA
NA
the atoll reef is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) in circumference; an attempt to colonize the atoll in the early 20th century ended in disaster and was abandoned in 1917
uninhabited
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Clipperton Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Clipperton
former: sometimes referred to as Ile de la Passion or Atoll Clipperton
etymology: named after an 18th-century English pirate who supposedly used the island as a base
possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France
the laws of France apply
the flag of France is used
Although 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, the only economic activity is tuna fishing.
none; offshore anchorage only
defense is the responsibility of France
none
