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.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 24.1 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm
Continental shelf: 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: undetermined

Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 90%; other 10%

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of France

Population: uninhabited

Environment
Current issues: subject to periodic cyclones; wildlife sanctuary

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Daniel CONSTANTIN, resident in Reunion Juan de Nova Island Juan de Nova IslandJuan de Nova Island

Economy overview: no economic activity

Airports: 1 with nonpermanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m

Disputes international: claimed by Madagascar