Bassas da India

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Bassas da India (Script error: No such module "IPA".; Template:Langx) is an uninhabited, roughly circular atoll located in the southern Mozambique Channel, about halfway between Mozambique and Madagascar (about Script error: No such module "convert". farther east) and around Script error: No such module "convert". 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 Script error: No such module "convert". in width and encloses a shallow lagoon of depth no greater than Script error: No such module "convert".. Overall, the atoll is about Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter, rising steeply from the seabed Script error: No such module "convert". below to encircle an area (including lagoon) of Script error: No such module "convert".. Its exclusive economic zone, Script error: No such module "convert". in size, is contiguous with that of Europa Island.[1]

The atoll consists of ten barren rocky islets, with no vegetation, totalling Script error: No such module "convert". in area. Those on the north and east sides are Script error: No such module "convert". high, while those on the west and south sides are Script error: No such module "convert". high. The reef, whose coastline measures Script error: No such module "convert"., 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 Script error: No such module "convert". 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

References

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Further reading

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External links

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