Europa Island/People
Europa Island (known locally as Ile Europa) is a 28 square kilometer tropical island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique, at 22°20'S, 40°22'E. It has 22.2 kilometers of coastline, but no ports or harbors, only offshore anchorage.
It is covered by mangrove forests and woodlands and has a wildlife sanctuary, but negligible natural resources.
The island is a possession of France administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion. Its defense is the responsibility of France. However, it is also claimed by Madagascar. Its data code is EU.
The island has no indigenous inhabitants and no economic activity, though there is a small French military garrison which staffs a meteorological station, and a single unpaved airstrip about 1000 meters long.
See also: Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
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