Introduction

Glorioso Islands

Background:

A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Geography

Glorioso Islands

Location:	Southern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:	11 30 S, 47 20 E
Map references:	Africa
Area:	total: 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Glorieuse, Ile du Lys, Verte Rocks, Wreck Rock, and South Rock
Area - comparative:	about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:	0 km
Coastline:	35.2 km
Maritime claims:	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:	tropical
Terrain:	low and flat
Elevation extremes:	lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 12 m
Natural resources:	guano, coconuts
Land use:	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all lush vegetation and coconut palms) (2005)
Irrigated land:	0 sq km
Natural hazards:	periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues:	NA
Geography - note:	the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system

People

Glorioso Islands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small French military garrison along with a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2006 est.)

Government

Glorioso Islands

Country name:	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Glorioso Islands local long form: none local short form: Iles Glorieuses
Dependency status:	possession of France; administered by the Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Legal system:	the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Flag description:	the flag of France is used

Economy

Glorioso Islands

Economy - overview:

no economic activity

Communications

Glorioso Islands

Communications - note:

1 meteorological station

Transportation

Glorioso Islands

Airports:	1 (2005)
Airports - with unpaved runways:	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2005)
Ports and terminals:	none; offshore anchorage only

Military

Glorioso Islands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues

Glorioso Islands

Disputes - international:

claimed by Madagascar

The Glorieuses or Glorioso Islands (French: Îles Glorieuses or officially also Archipel des Glorieuses) are group of islands and rocks totalling 5 km², at 11°30′S 47°20′E, in the northern Mozambique channel, about 160 km northwest of Madagascar. The Glorieuses have an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 48,350 km². There are anchorages offshore, and Grande Glorieuse has a 1,300-metre-long airstrip.

The archipelago consists of two islands, Grande Glorieuse and Île du Lys, as well as eight rock islets (Roches Vertes): Wreck Rock, South Rock and Verte Rocks (three) and three others that are unnamed. They form part of a coral reef and lagoon. Grande Glorieuses is roughly circular and measures about 3 km across. It is thickly vegetated, mainly by the remains of a coconut plantation and casuarina trees.

Île du Lys, about five miles northeast of Grande Glorieuses, is about 600 metres long and consists of sand dunes and scrub with some mangroves. It was formerly quarried for phosphate (guano).

The Glorieuses were named and settled in 1880 by a Frenchman, Hippolyte Caltaux, who established a coconut and maize plantation on Grande Glorieuse. The archipelago became a French possession in 1892. From 1914 to 1958 concessions to exploit the islands were given to Seychelles companies.

The islands are today nature reserves with a meteorological station garrisoned by French troops. They are claimed by Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Comoros.

The climate is tropical and the terrain is low and flat, varying from sea level to 12 m. Île de Lys in particular is a nesting ground for migratory seabirds, and turtles lay eggs on the beaches.

Last update on 29 June 2006