Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean
Îles Éparses - in the official French name: Éparses Îles de l' Océan Indien - ( German " Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean " ) are those called French possessions in the Indian Ocean, which until 2007 not assigned to overseas collectivity. It is consistently small islands that are apart from some scientists and military personnel uninhabited.
The islands were traditionally managed by the Prefect of Réunion, but were not even to Réunion and thus not to the European Union. As of 2005, the islands by the prefect and top managers ( Administrateur supérieur ) of the French Southern and Antarctic Territories ( TAAF) were administered. Since 21 February 2007, the islands are a district of the TAAF.
The Islands
The Îles Éparses include the following islands and atolls:
- Bassas da India: atoll; claimed by Madagascar.
- Europe: Atoll 330 km north-west of Toliara, Madagascar, 500 km off the African coast, small French military base; claimed by Madagascar.
- Îles Glorieuses: Atoll including two small rock ( Roches Vertes and Ile aux Crabes ), small French military base, claimed by Comoros and the Seychelles.
- Juan de Nova Island with larger coral reef, 600 km of Mayotte is 280 km from the African coast, small French military base; claimed by Madagascar.
- Tromelin Island northwest of Réunion, meteorological station with a crew of ten to twenty scholars; claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius.