Juan de Nova Island: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Juan de Nova Island |
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Background:
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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. |
| Geography | Juan de Nova Island |
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Location:
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Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique |
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Geographic coordinates:
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17 03 S, 42 45 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 4.4 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 4.4 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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24.1 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
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Climate:
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tropical |
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Terrain:
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low and flat |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 10 m |
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Natural resources:
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guano deposits and other fertilizers |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (90% forest) (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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periodic cyclones |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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wildlife sanctuary |