Bassas da India: Difference between revisions

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Bassas da India (fr; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is an uninhabited, roughly circular atoll located in the southern Mozambique Channel, about halfway between Mozambique and Madagascar (about 385 km [239 mi] farther east) and around 110 km (68 mi) northwest of Europa Island. It is administered by France as part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, though it is claimed by Madagascar. The rim of the atoll averages around 100 m (330 ft) in width and encloses a shallow lagoon of depth no greater than 15 m (49 ft). Overall, the atoll is about 10 km (6.2 mi) in diameter, rising steeply from the seabed 3,000 m (9,800 ft) below to encircle an area (including lagoon) of 80 km² (31 sq mi). Its exclusive economic zone, 123,700 km² (47,800 sq mi) in size, is contiguous with that of Europa Island.^[1]

The atoll consists of ten barren rocky islets, with no vegetation, totalling 20 hectares (49 acres) in area. Those on the north and east sides are 2.1 to 3.0 metres (7 to 10 ft) high, while those on the west and south sides are 1.2 metres (4 ft) high. The reef, whose coastline measures 35.2 km (21.9 mi), is entirely covered by the sea from three hours before high tide to three hours afterward. The region is also subject to cyclones, making the atoll a long-time maritime hazard and the site of numerous shipwrecks.

Jaguar Seamount and Hall Tablemount lie about 40 and 70 kilometres (25 and 43 mi) further southwest.

History

The Bassas da India was first recorded by Portuguese explorers in the early sixteenth century as the "Baixo da Judia" ("Jewess Shoals"). The Judia ("Jewess", for the ancestry of its owner Fernão de Loronha^[2]) was the Portuguese ship that discovered the feature by running aground on it in 1506.^[3] The name became "Bassas da India" due to transcription errors by cartographers. The Santiago broke up on the shoal in 1585.

It was rediscovered by the Europa in 1774, whence the name "Europa Rocks".^[4] The Malay was lost 27 July 1842 on the Europa Rocks.^[5]

In 1897, the shoal became a French possession, later being placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Réunion in 1968. Madagascar became independent in 1960 and has claimed sovereignty over the shoal since 1972. The Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean are partially claimed by the Comoros, Madagascar, and Mauritius.^[6] The Malagasy and Mauritian claims, however, are significantly later than their access to independence. However, the agreement reached in October 2024 on the restitution to Mauritius of the Chagos Islands by Great Britain, in the heart of the Indian Ocean, notably home to the American base of Diego Garcia, has relaunched the debate in Madagascar.^[7]

Wildlife

The presence of Galapagos sharks was reported in 2003, which is a first in the Mozambique Channel.^[8]

Tourism

Mooring at Bassas da India requires a permit from the French Government.^[9] Fishing without such a permit may result in the boat being expelled or even confiscated.^[10] Several illegal tourism charters departing from Mozambique or South Africa have been seized since 2013 by the French navy.^[11]^[12]

Gallery

Detailed map.

Detailed map.
International Space Station (ISS) photograph.

International Space Station (ISS) photograph.
Landsat 7 image.

Landsat 7 image.
CIA World Factbook map.

CIA World Factbook map.
Central Intelligence Agency map.

Central Intelligence Agency map.
ISS image of Bassas da India with varying degrees of sunglint.

ISS image of Bassas da India with varying degrees of sunglint.

References

↑ Template:Cite act
↑ Cardozo, Manoel Godinho (1736) [First published 1602]. "Relaçam do navfragio da nao Santiago & itenerario da gente que delle se salvou". In Gomes de Brito, Bernardo (ed.). História trágico-marítima (in Portuguese). II. Lisbon: Off. da Congregaçao do Oratorio. p. 47.
↑ Stuckenberg, Brian R. (December 2000). "The location and identity of the Baixos da Judia : Portuguese historical cartography of the Mozambique Channel and its relevance to the wreck of the Santiago in 1585". Natal Museum Journal of Humanities. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Council of the Natal Museum. 12: 51–79. ISSN 1015-0935.
↑ de Horsey, Algernon F. R. (1878). The Africa Pilot, Part III : South and east coasts of Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Guardafui, including the islands in the Mozambique Channel (3rd ed.). London: Hydrographic Office of Great Britain. p. 410. OCLC 36761841. Bassas da India, sometimes named Europa rocks, was discovered by the ship Europa in 1774.
↑ Osgood, Chas. S.; Batchelder, H. M. (1879). Historical Sketch of Salem, 1626–1879. Salem: Essex Institute. p. 202. OCLC 248257682.
↑ "Les confettis de l'empire colonial français qui irritent Madagascar". 22 October 2019.
↑ "Dérisoires sentinelles sur la route des super-pétroliers". 6 June 2025.
↑ Hammerschlag, Neil; Fallows, Chris. "Galapagos sharks (Carcharhinus galapagensis) at the Bassas da India atoll: first record from the Mozambique Channel and significance can have a nursery area". South African Journal of Science. 101: 375–377.
↑ "Accès et mouillage dans les Eparses" [Access and mooring in the Scattered Islands]. TAAF : Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (in French). Government of France. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
↑ Template:Cite act
↑ "FAZSOI : Opération combinée de contrôle des pêches dans le canal du Mozambique" [FAZSOI: Combined fisheries control operation in the Mozambique Channel] (Press release) (in French). French Ministry of Defense. 13 November 2013. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
↑ "Pêche non autorisée : le Floréal intercepte un bateau au large de Bassas da India" [Unauthorized fishing : the Floréal intercepts a boat off Bassas da India] (in French). Imaz Press Réunion. 9 October 2014.

External links

Template:Wikiatlas
"Oceandots". Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 14 March 2009.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
Sailing Directions: East Africa and the South Indian Ocean
French Southern and Antarctic Lands. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency..

Template:French overseas departments and territories Template:Outlying territories of European countries Template:Scattered islands in the Indian Ocean

[1] Template:Cite act

[2] Cardozo, Manoel Godinho (1736) [First published 1602]. "Relaçam do navfragio da nao Santiago & itenerario da gente que delle se salvou". In Gomes de Brito, Bernardo (ed.). História trágico-marítima (in Portuguese). II. Lisbon: Off. da Congregaçao do Oratorio. p. 47.

[3] Stuckenberg, Brian R. (December 2000). "The location and identity of the Baixos da Judia : Portuguese historical cartography of the Mozambique Channel and its relevance to the wreck of the Santiago in 1585". Natal Museum Journal of Humanities. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Council of the Natal Museum. 12: 51–79. ISSN 1015-0935.

[4] Horsey, Algernon F. R. (1878). The Africa Pilot, Part III : South and east coasts of Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Guardafui, including the islands in the Mozambique Channel (3rd ed.). London: Hydrographic Office of Great Britain. p. 410. OCLC 36761841. Bassas da India, sometimes named Europa rocks, was discovered by the ship Europa in 1774.

[5] Osgood, Chas. S.; Batchelder, H. M. (1879). Historical Sketch of Salem, 1626–1879. Salem: Essex Institute. p. 202. OCLC 248257682.

[6] "Les confettis de l'empire colonial français qui irritent Madagascar". 22 October 2019.

[7] "Dérisoires sentinelles sur la route des super-pétroliers". 6 June 2025.

[8] Hammerschlag, Neil; Fallows, Chris. "Galapagos sharks (Carcharhinus galapagensis) at the Bassas da India atoll: first record from the Mozambique Channel and significance can have a nursery area". South African Journal of Science. 101: 375–377.

[9] "Accès et mouillage dans les Eparses" [Access and mooring in the Scattered Islands]. TAAF : Terres australes et antarctiques françaises (in French). Government of France. Retrieved 3 February 2020.

[10] Template:Cite act

[11] "FAZSOI : Opération combinée de contrôle des pêches dans le canal du Mozambique" [FAZSOI: Combined fisheries control operation in the Mozambique Channel] (Press release) (in French). French Ministry of Defense. 13 November 2013. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

[12] "Pêche non autorisée : le Floréal intercepte un bateau au large de Bassas da India" [Unauthorized fishing : the Floréal intercepts a boat off Bassas da India] (in French). Imaz Press Réunion. 9 October 2014.

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@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 {{Infobox country
 |conventional_long_name = Bassas da India
-|image_flag = Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.svg
+| image_flag             = Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.svg
-|flag_caption = [[Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands]]
+| flag_caption           = [[Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands]]
-|alt_flag = Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
+| flag_size              = 130
-|image_coat =
+| alt_flag               = Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
-|symbol_type = Coat of arms
+| image_coat             = Armoiries Terres australes et antarctiques françaises.svg
-|national_motto = {{lang|fr|[[Liberté, égalité, fraternité]]}}
+| coa_size               = 85
-|national_anthem = "[[La Marseillaise]]"
+| symbol_type            = {{illm|Coat of arms of French Southern and Antarctic Lands|fr|Armoiries des Terres australes et antarctiques françaises|lt=Coat of arms}}
+| alt_coat               = Coat of arms of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
+| status = District of [[French Southern and Antarctic Lands]]
+| national_motto                   = {{native phrase|fr|"[[Liberté, égalité, fraternité]]"|italics=off}} ({{Langx|en|"Liberty, equality, fraternity"}})
+| national_anthem                   = {{lang|fr|[[La Marseillaise]]}}<br/>{{Small|("The Marseillaise")}}<br/>{{Center|[[File:La Marseillaise.ogg]]}}
 }}
@@ Line 41: / Line 45: @@
 }}
-'''Bassas da India''' ({{IPA|fr|basa da ɛ̃dja}}; {{langx|mg|Nosy Bedimaky}}) is an uninhabited, roughly circular [[atoll]] located in the southern [[Mozambique Channel]], about halfway between [[Mozambique]] and [[Madagascar]] (about {{convert|385|km|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}} farther east) and around {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Europa Island]]. It is administered by France as part of the [[French Southern and Antarctic Lands]], though it is claimed by [[Madagascar]]. The rim of the atoll averages around {{convert|100|m}} in width and encloses a shallow lagoon of depth no greater than {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}}. Overall, the atoll is about {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} in diameter, rising steeply from the [[seabed]] {{convert|3000|m}} below to encircle an area (including lagoon) of {{convert|80|km2|abbr=on}}. Its [[exclusive economic zone]], {{convert|123700|km²|abbr=on}} in size, is [[Contiguous zone|contiguous]] with that of [[Europa Island]].<ref>{{cite act |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000883905 |index=78–146 |type=Decree |date=3 February 1978 |title=Décret n° 78–146 du 3 février 1978 portant création, en application de la loi du 16 juillet 1976, d'une zone économique au large des côtes des îles Tromelin, Glorieuses, Juan-de-Nova, Europa et Bassas-da-India |publisher=Government of France |language=fr}}</ref>
+'''Bassas da India''' ({{IPA|fr|basa da ɛ̃dja}}; {{langx|mg|Nosy Bedimaky}}) is an uninhabited, roughly circular [[atoll]] located in the southern [[Mozambique Channel]], about halfway between [[Mozambique]] and [[Madagascar]] (about {{convert|385|km|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}} farther east) and around {{convert|110|km|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Europa Island]]. It is administered by France as part of the [[French Southern and Antarctic Lands]], though it is claimed by [[Madagascar]]. The rim of the atoll averages around {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}} in width and encloses a shallow lagoon of depth no greater than {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}}. Overall, the atoll is about {{convert|10|km|abbr=on}} in diameter, rising steeply from the [[seabed]] {{convert|3000|m|abbr=on}} below to encircle an area (including lagoon) of {{convert|80|km2|abbr=on}}. Its [[exclusive economic zone]], {{convert|123700|km²|abbr=on}} in size, is [[Contiguous zone|contiguous]] with that of [[Europa Island]].<ref>{{cite act |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000883905 |index=78–146 |type=Decree |date=3 February 1978 |title=Décret n° 78–146 du 3 février 1978 portant création, en application de la loi du 16 juillet 1976, d'une zone économique au large des côtes des îles Tromelin, Glorieuses, Juan-de-Nova, Europa et Bassas-da-India |publisher=Government of France |language=fr}}</ref>
 The atoll consists of ten barren rocky [[islet]]s, with no vegetation, totalling {{convert|20|ha}} in area. Those on the north and east sides are {{convert|7|to|10|ft|order=flip}} high, while those on the west and south sides are {{convert|4|ft|order=flip}} high. The reef, whose coastline measures {{convert|35.2|km|abbr=on}}, is entirely covered by the sea from three hours before [[Tide|high tide]] to three hours afterward. The region is also subject to [[cyclone]]s, making the atoll a long-time maritime hazard and the site of numerous shipwrecks.
@@ Line 52: / Line 56: @@
 It was rediscovered by the ''Europa'' in 1774, whence the name "Europa Rocks".<ref>{{cite book |quote=Bassas da India, sometimes named Europa rocks, was discovered by the ship ''Europa'' in 1774. |author-first=Algernon F. R. |author-last=de Horsey |title=The Africa Pilot, Part III : South and east coasts of Africa from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Guardafui, including the islands in the Mozambique Channel |publisher=[[United Kingdom Hydrographic Office|Hydrographic Office of Great Britain]] |location=London |edition=3rd |date=1878 |page=410 |oclc=36761841}}</ref> The ''Malay'' was lost 27 July 1842 on the Europa Rocks.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Chas. S. |last1=Osgood |first2=H. M. |last2=Batchelder |title=Historical Sketch of Salem, 1626–1879 |date=1879 |location=Salem |publisher=Essex Institute |oclc=248257682 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historicalsketc00osgogoog/page/n263/mode/2up 202]}}</ref>
-In 1897, the shoal became a [[Third French Republic|French]] possession, later being placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in [[Réunion]] in 1968. [[Madagascar]] became independent in 1960 and has claimed sovereignty over the shoal since 1972. The Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean are partially claimed by the Comoros, Madagascar, and Mauritius<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/le-monde-a-l-envers/les-confettis-de-l-empire-colonial-francais-qui-irritent-madagascar-3700358 | title=Les confettis de l'empire colonial français qui irritent Madagascar| date=22 October 2019 }}</ref>. The Malagasy and Mauritian claims, however, are significantly later than their access to independence. However, the agreement reached in October 2024 on the restitution to Mauritius of the Chagos Islands by Great Britain, in the heart of the Indian Ocean, notably home to the American base of Diego Garcia, has relaunched the debate in Madagascar<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.mondediplo.net/derisoires-sentinelles | title=Dérisoires sentinelles sur la route des super-pétroliers| date=6 June 2025 }}</ref>.
+In 1897, the shoal became a [[Third French Republic|French]] possession, later being placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in [[Réunion]] in 1968. [[Madagascar]] became independent in 1960 and has claimed sovereignty over the shoal since 1972. The Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean are partially claimed by the Comoros, Madagascar, and Mauritius.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/le-monde-a-l-envers/les-confettis-de-l-empire-colonial-francais-qui-irritent-madagascar-3700358 | title=Les confettis de l'empire colonial français qui irritent Madagascar| date=22 October 2019 }}</ref> The Malagasy and Mauritian claims, however, are significantly later than their access to independence. However, the agreement reached in October 2024 on the restitution to Mauritius of the Chagos Islands by Great Britain, in the heart of the Indian Ocean, notably home to the American base of Diego Garcia, has relaunched the debate in Madagascar.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.mondediplo.net/derisoires-sentinelles | title=Dérisoires sentinelles sur la route des super-pétroliers| date=6 June 2025 }}</ref>
 == Wildlife ==
@@ Line 58: / Line 62: @@
 == Tourism ==
-[[Mooring (watercraft)|Mooring]] at Bassas da India requires a permit from the French Government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://taaf.fr/acceder-aux-territoires/demandes-dactivites-et-dacces/acces-et-mouillage-dans-les-eparses/ |title=Accès et mouillage dans les Eparses |trans-title=Access and mooring in the Scattered Islands |language=fr |access-date=2020-02-03 |website=TAAF : Terres australes et antarctiques françaises |publisher=Government of France}}</ref> Fishing without such a permit may result in the boat being expelled or even confiscated.<ref>{{cite act |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000000880593/ |index=83-582 |date=5 July 1983 |title=Loi n° 83-582 du 5 juillet 1983 relative au régime de la saisie et complétant la liste des agents habilités à constater les infractions dans le domaine des pêches maritimes |publisher=Government of France |language=fr}}</ref> Several illegal tourism charters departing from Mozambique or South Africa have been seized since 2013 by the [[French navy]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/prepositionnees/actualites/fazsoi-operation-combinee-de-controle-des-peches-dans-le-canal-du-mozambique |title=FAZSOI : Opération combinée de contrôle des pêches dans le canal du Mozambique |trans-title=FAZSOI: Combined fisheries control operation in the Mozambique Channel |language=fr |publisher=[[French Ministry of Defense]] |date=13 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ipreunion.com/evenements/reportage/2014/10/09/iles-parses-peche-non-autorisee-le-floreal-intercepte-un-bateau-au-large-de-bassas-da-india,27539.html |title=Pêche non autorisée : le ''Floréal'' intercepte un bateau au large de Bassas da India |trans-title=Unauthorized fishing : the ''[[French frigate Floréal|Floréal]]'' intercepts a boat off Bassas da India |language=fr |publisher=Imaz Press Réunion |date=9 October 2014}}</ref>
+[[Mooring (watercraft)|Mooring]] at Bassas da India requires a permit from the French Government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://taaf.fr/acceder-aux-territoires/demandes-dactivites-et-dacces/acces-et-mouillage-dans-les-eparses/ |title=Accès et mouillage dans les Eparses |trans-title=Access and mooring in the Scattered Islands |language=fr |access-date=2020-02-03 |website=TAAF : Terres australes et antarctiques françaises |publisher=Government of France}}</ref> Fishing without such a permit may result in the boat being expelled or even confiscated.<ref>{{cite act |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000000880593/ |index=83-582 |date=5 July 1983 |title=Loi n° 83-582 du 5 juillet 1983 relative au régime de la saisie et complétant la liste des agents habilités à constater les infractions dans le domaine des pêches maritimes |publisher=Government of France |language=fr}}</ref> Several illegal tourism charters departing from Mozambique or South Africa have been seized since 2013 by the [[French navy]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/prepositionnees/actualites/fazsoi-operation-combinee-de-controle-des-peches-dans-le-canal-du-mozambique |title=FAZSOI : Opération combinée de contrôle des pêches dans le canal du Mozambique |trans-title=FAZSOI: Combined fisheries control operation in the Mozambique Channel |language=fr |publisher=[[French Ministry of Defense]] |date=13 November 2013 |access-date=5 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226223953/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/prepositionnees/actualites/fazsoi-operation-combinee-de-controle-des-peches-dans-le-canal-du-mozambique |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ipreunion.com/evenements/reportage/2014/10/09/iles-parses-peche-non-autorisee-le-floreal-intercepte-un-bateau-au-large-de-bassas-da-india,27539.html |title=Pêche non autorisée : le ''Floréal'' intercepte un bateau au large de Bassas da India |trans-title=Unauthorized fishing : the ''[[French frigate Floréal|Floréal]]'' intercepts a boat off Bassas da India |language=fr |publisher=Imaz Press Réunion |date=9 October 2014}}</ref>
 == Gallery ==
@@ Line 81: / Line 85: @@
 * {{cite web |title=Oceandots |url=http://www.oceandots.com/indian/mozambique-channel/bassas-da-india.php |access-date=2009-03-14 |url-status=usurped<!--for sale 6 March 2024--> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223043232/http://www.oceandots.com/indian/mozambique-channel/bassas-da-india.php |archive-date=23 December 2010  }}
 * [http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/pollux/pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/SD/pub171/171sec09.pdf Sailing Directions: East Africa and the South Indian Ocean]
-* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/french-southern-and-antarctic-lands/ French Southern and Antarctic Lands]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]..
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20260119024331/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/french-southern-and-antarctic-lands French Southern and Antarctic Lands]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]..
 {{French overseas departments and territories |Uninhabited}}
@@ Line 96: / Line 100: @@
 [[Category:Territorial disputes of Madagascar]]
 [[Category:France–Madagascar relations]]
+[[Category:Uninhabited islands of the Indian Ocean]]
+[[Category:Uninhabited islands of Africa]]

Bassas da India: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:31, 11 March 2026

Contents

History

Wildlife

Tourism

Gallery

References

Further reading

External links

Navigation menu

Bassas da India: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:31, 11 March 2026

History

Wildlife

Tourism

Gallery

References

Further reading

External links

Navigation menu

Search