Clipperton Island

North America

Population

N/A

Area

6 km²

GDP

N/A

GDP Per Capita

N/A

Background

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.

Geography15

Location

Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico

Geographic coordinates

10 17 N, 109 13 W

Map references

Political Map of the World

Area

total : 6 sq km
land: 6 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 12 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

11.1 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October)

Terrain

coral atoll

Elevation

highest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

fish

Land use

agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)

Natural hazards

subject to tropical storms and hurricanes from May to October

Geography - note

the atoll reef is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) in circumference

People & Society1

Population

total: uninhabited

Government4

Country name

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 is alleged to have used the island as a base starting in 1705

Dependency status

possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France

Legal system

the laws of France apply

Flag

the flag of France is used

Military & Security1

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France

Spot an error or outdated info on this page? Let us know — we usually fix it the same day.

Compare Clipperton Island

See how Clipperton Island compares to other countries side by side.

Compare Countries