Background: First explored by the French in 1776 the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 3.7 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: sandy

Natural resources: fish

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other--scattered bushes 100%

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of France

Population: uninhabited

Environment
Current issues: wildlife sanctuary

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Daniel CONSTANTIN, resident in Reunion Tromelin Island Tromelin IslandTromelin Island

Economy overview: no economic activity

Airports: 1 with runway less than 1,220 m

Disputes international: claimed by Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles