Clipperton Island
Clipperton Island
⌘K
Overview
- 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.
Geography
Area
- Land
- 6 sq km
- Water
- 0 sq km
- Total
- 6 sq km
- Climate
- tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October)
- Terrain
- coral atoll
Land Use
- Other
- 100% (2018 est.)
- Forest
- 0% (2018 est.)
- Agricultural land
- 0% (2018 est.)
- Location
- Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
- Coastline
- 11.1 km
Elevation
- Lowest point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
- Highest point
- Rocher Clipperton 29 m
- Map references
- Political Map of the World
Land Boundaries
- Total
- 0 km
Maritime Claims
- Territorial sea
- 12 nm
- Exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- 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
- Natural resources
- fish
- Area comparative
- about 12 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- Geographic coordinates
- 10 17 N, 109 13 W
People & Society
Population
- Total
- uninhabited
Government
- Flag
- the flag of France is used
Country Name
- 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
- Local long form
- none
- Local short form
- Ile Clipperton
- Conventional long form
- none
- Conventional short form
- Clipperton Island
- Legal system
- the laws of France apply
- Dependency status
- possession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France
Environment
- Climate
- tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October)
Land Use
- Other
- 100% (2018 est.)
- Forest
- 0% (2018 est.)
- Agricultural land
- 0% (2018 est.)
- Environmental issues
- no natural resources, guano deposits depleted; stagnant fresh-water lagoon
Military & Security
- Military note
- defense is the responsibility of France
Cite this page
Cite this page
Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Clipperton Island — vintage 2026-Q1: Clipperton Island factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/clipperton-island
Sources: CIA World Factbook