Territories and Dependencies

Dependencies and protectorates, after World War II, were given the opportunity to hold plebiscites to determine their status ns dependencies, commonwealths, or free nations.  The territories listed below, either had no inhabitants, or chose to remain affiliated with major nations.  The costs of establishing and operating an independent country were too daunting for many to attempt.  Commonwealths choose to govern their own country but prefer a major nation to conduct their foreign affairs.  An additional advantage is a preferred position, necessary for some dependencies that are unable to manage without assistance.

The largest of these commonwealths is Puerto Rico with a population of nearly 4,000,000 people.

Washington, D.C. is frequently used as a comparison.  Washington, D.C. is 68 sq mi (177 sq km.), and area of about 10 by 7 miles. (16 by11 km).  The area of Washington, D.C. is almost exactly twice the size of Manhattan Island which is 34 sq mi (88 sq km).

 

AMERICAN SAMOA           Dependency of the United States

Group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand.

POPULATION:  O2009)  65 Th.   (2025)  79 Th.   (2050)  98.th.

LAND AREA:  77 sq mi (199 sq km) slightly larger than Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical, maritime modified by trade winds

TERRAIN:  5 volcanic islands. Arable land, 10%, other productive areas, 80%

 

ANGUILLA:               Dependency of United Kingdom

Island in Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico

LAND AREA:  35 sq mi (99 sq km)  ½ the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.)13,677; life expectancy, 74 years.

CLIMATE:  tropical, modified by trade winds

TERRAIN:  Flat, low-lying,

 

ARUBA                      Part of Netherlands realm

Caribbean Sea north of Venezuela

LAND AREA:  75 sq mi(193 sq km)  slightly larger than Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 100,000; population growth, rate 1.5%; life expectancy, 71.8 yrs.

CLIMATE  tropical, marine with little seasonal change

TERRAIN: flat with a few hills;  and scant vegetation

 

BAKER ISLAND       Territory of the U.S.A.

Atoll in the Pacific ocean about halfway between Hawaii and Australia

LAND AREA:  5 sq mi (14 sq km)

TERRAIN:  low, nearly level coral island.  Uninhabited

 

 

BERMUDA                territory of the U.K.

Group of islands in Atlantic Ocean east of N. Carolina, U.S.A.

POPULATION:  (2009)  68 TH.  (2025)  73 TH.  (2050)  70 TH.

LAND AREA:  19 sq mi (50 sq km) about 3/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  subtropical, humid, mild, strong winds

TERRAIN:  low hills separated by fertile depressions20% forest, 80% barren

 

BOUVET ISLAND                territory of Norway

Island in the Atlantic Ocean southwest of South Africa

LAND AREA:  22 sq mi (58 sq km) about 3/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  Arctic

TERRAIN:  volcanic island to maximum elevation of 2,625 ft (800 m) 100% ice covered.

 

BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY teritory of U.K.

Island archipelago in Indian Ocean about halfway between India and Africa

LAND AREA:  24 sq mi (60 sq km) about 3/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical modified by trade winds

TERRAIN:  Flat and low islands less than 13 ft (4 m) above sea level, uninhabited

 

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS          dependent territory of the U>K.

Islands east of Puerto Rico between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

LAND AREA:  58 sq mi (150 sq km) about 8/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 23,500; population growth rate; 1.72%; life expectancy, 76.8 years.

CLIMATE:  subtropical, humid, modified by trade winds

TERRAIN:  both; coral and hilly islands; arable land, 20k%; other productive land, 40%.

 

CAYMAN ISLANDS:          dependent territory of the U.K.

Island group about half-way between Cuba and Honduras

POPULATION:  (2009)  49 Th.   (2025)  68 Th.  (2050)  91 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  rate 2.5%; life expectancy, 8 years.

LAND AREA:  80 sq mi (260 sq km) less than the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE; tropical, marine, rainy summer

TERRAIN:  low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral. Reefs.  Pasture and woodland, 60%.

 

CHRISTMAS ISLAND        territory of Australia

Island in Indian Ocean south of Indonesia

LAND AREA:  50 sq mi (135 sq km)            about 8/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 1,402; population growth rate, 0.l00T life expectancy not given.  Population has declined as people emigrate

CLIMATE:  tropical, hot & humid, moderated by trade winds

TERRAIN:  steep cliffs with central plateau.  Land is relatively unproductive.

COOK ISLANDS                 territory of New Zealand

Group of islands about halfway between New Zealand & Hawaii

POPULATION:  (2009) 11.8 Th.  (2025) 7.6 Th.  (250)  5.4 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  Negative; Life expectancy, 71.1 years.

LAND AREA:  93 sq mi (240 sq km)  1.3 times the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical, moderated by trade winds

TERRAIN:  volcanic islands in south and coral islands in north.  Unproductive land,

 

EASTER ISLAND                 island territory of Chili

LOCATION:  27 degrees S., about 2180 miles  (3510 km) W. of Chili & 1286 m (2075 km) E. of Pitcairn Island and is 27 deg S. of the equator..

LAND AREA:  It is 15.3 x 7.6 mi (24 x 12 km) and covers bout 63 sq mi (163 sq km).

POPULATION:  about 4,700 in 2009.

CLIMATE: subtropical with temperatures between 44 and 82 F.    Rainfall is about 44 inches per year with occasional heavy rainstorms.  Wind is fairly constant.

TERRAIN:  Terrain is hilly.  The island is result of volcanic action with three caldera.  Last eruption was about 100,000 years ago.  Maximum altitude is 1,620 feet (507 m.)

COMMENT:  Easter Island is a world heritage site and a national park.  Its people were Polynesian, closely related to Hawaiian and New Zealand and immigrated to the island about 2000 years ago, about the same time as Polynesians first appeared on Hawaii and New Zealand. The people developed a fair civilization prior to the time of overpopulation and eventual decimation by slave traders in the 1800’s.   Easter Island – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, May, 2010

 

EUROPA ISLAND                territory of France

Island in Mozambique Channel about halfway between southern Madagascar and  southern Mozambique.

LAND AREA:  11 sq mi  (28sq km)  about 2/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical

TERRAIN:  not available, wildlife sanctuary

 

FALKLAND ISLANDS        dependency of the U.K..

Islands in the South Atlantic, east of southern Argentina

LAND AREA:  48,586 sq mi (121,700 sq km)

POPULATION::  (2007 est.) 3,105; population growth rate, 2.44%.  An estimate of life expectancy was not available.

CLIMATE:  cold, rainy, snow except January and February, strong westerly winds

TERRAIN:  rocky, hilly, mountains and some bogs, extensive plains, pasture and meadows, 99%

COMMENT:  Oil exploration has renewed Argentina claims to the Falklands.  High cost of supporting Falklands may encourage Britain to cede the Islands to Argentina.  Latin American Countries show unanimous support of Argentina claims.  Newsweek, March 15, 2010, p. 6.

 

FAROE ISLANDS                part of the country of Denmark

Island group about halfway from Iceland to Norway on border between the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea.

POPULATION:  (2009  289   Th.  (2025)  345 Th.  (22050)  394. th.

POPULATION GROWTH;  positive. Life expectancy, 70.4 years.

CLIMATE:  mild winters, cool summers, usually foggy and windy

TERRAIN:  rugged, rocky with cliffs along most of coast.  Almost no arable land.

 

FRASER ISLAND     Australian Island

LOCATION:  NE coast of Australia about 195 miles (300km) N of Brisbane on the coat of Queensland.

LAND AREA:L  The Island is 15 x 75 miles (24 x 120 km)  and about 710 sq mi (1840 sq km).

CLIMATE:  subtropical with moderate seasonal changes and a steady SE wind.

Population:: about 370 permanent residents.  It is a popular tourist  destination.  It is a national park and a world heritage site.

Terrain:  world’s largest sand island with maximum elevation of 801 feet (244 m).  The island is heavily forested and rich in minerals..  It is many large sand dunes and a great many fresh water lakes, somewhat acidic.

FAUNA:   There are about 340 known bird species and some wild horses and dingoes.

“Fraser Island” Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

 

FRENCH GUI NEA               overseas dependant of France

Land NE South America bordering the Atlantic Ocean

LAND AREA: 30,545 sq mi  (80,150 sq km)  slightly smaller than Indiana

POPULATION:  (2007 est.)182,300; population growth rate, 2.57%; life expectancy, 76.5 years.

CLIMATE:  tropical, humid with little seasonal change

TERRAIN:  low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and low mountains. No arable land listed with forests covering 82% of the country.

 

FRENCH POLYNESIA        dependency of France

Archipelago  about halfway from South America to Australia

POPULATION:  (2009  287 Th.   (2025)  245 Th.  (2050)  394 Th.

LAND AREA:  1,522 sq mi (3,941 sq km)   slightly smaller than Connecticut

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 279,000; population growth rate, 1.46%; life expectancy, 76.3 years.

CLIMATE;  tropical but moderate

TERRAIN:  mixture of rugged mountains and coral reefs. 56% of land is utilized.  44% is mountain or too low to utilize.

 

 

FRENCH SOUTH AND ANTARCTIC LANDS  territory of France

Islands southeast of Africa and southwest of Australia

LAND AREA;  3,115 sq mi (7,781 sq km)

TERRAIN:  volcanic.  Not inhabited.

 

GAZA  STRIP:          A coastal strip between Israel and the Mediterranean Sea adjoining Egypt

            POPULATION:  (2009)  1.6 mil.;  (2025) 2.4 mil.;  (2050) 3.4 mil.

LAND AREA:  140 sq mi (390 sq km) 4 times the size of Manhattan Is.                  It is a bout 7 x 35 miles (10 x 40 km)

TERRAIN:  flat to rolling with some sand dunes.  Arable, 13%; permanent crops, 32%;  other (sand) 55%.

COMMENTS:  Although it is part of Palestine, it is controlled by a dissident element subject to Israeli policing and control of world commerce.

 

GIBRALTAR             territory of U>K>

Southern tip of Iberian Peninsula, bordering the strait between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

POPULATION:  (2009)  29 Th.  (2025) 30 Th.  (2050)  28.th

Many are service personnel and are not permanent residents.

LAND AREA:  2.3 sq mi  (6.4 sq km)

CLIMATE:  Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers

TERRAIN:  a narrow coastline bordering The Rock.  There is no agricultural land.

 

GREENLAND            part of Denmark

Island in Arctic region off the coast of North America.

POPULATION:  (2009 58 Th.  (2025)  57 Th.  (2050)  49 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  Uncertain.  Great quantities of natural resources remain to be developed.  The dominion is seeking independence.

Life Expectancy is 70 years.

LAND AREA:  945,130 sq mi  (2,175,800 sq km) over 3 times the size of Texas

CLIMATE:  arctic to sub-arctic, cool summers and cold winters

TERRAIN:  a narrow coastal strip of pastureland in southwest with mountain fringe surrounding a large plain covered with about  an ice field up to a mile thick.

 

GUADALOUPE                     territory of France

Caribbean island southeast of Puerto Rico

POPULATION: (2007 est.)  440 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.0 %; life expectancy, 7735 years.

LAND AREA:  687 sq mi (1,780 sq km)  10 times the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical, tempered by trade winds, high humidity

TERRAIN:  Basse Terre is volcanic with interior mountains.  Grand-Terre is low limestone formation.  Most of seven islands are volcanic in origin.  15% of land is arable and 40% is pasture or forest.


 

GUAM                        territory of the U.S.

Island is about ¾ of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines.  It is the southernmost  and largest of the Marianas.   (13, 28 N and 144-44 E)

POPULATION:  (2009)  178 Th.  (2025)214 Th.  (2050)  244 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  rate, ¼%; life expectancy 78.7 years.

LAND AREA:  190 sq mi (541.3 sq km)   three times the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical, marine,, humid, moderated by trade winds; 88 inches rainfall, year.  It is warm and humid with cooling trade winds.  There is an occasional powerful hurricane.

TERRAIN:  volcanic with limestone plateau and coral reefs, steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains.  Arable, 11%; permanent crops, 11%; pasture, 15%; woodlands, 18% other,  45%.

COMMENT:  It is an unincorporated dependency of the U.S. with 40% of its work force in U.S. employ and with 1,  million tourists, mostly Japanese, per year.  Most products and foodstuffs are imported.

 

GUERNSEY               crown dependenceof U.K.

Islands in the English Channel north of France

POPULATION:  (2009)  66 Th.  (2025) 67 Th.  (2050) 61 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  Static, life expectancy 77.5 years.

LAND AREA:  75 sq mi (194 sq km)  slightly larger than Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  moderate with mild, cool summers.

TERRAIN;  mostly level with low hills in south.

 

HONG KONG          Administrative district of China

A series of islands and bordering mainland of China and South China Sea at the mouth of the Pearl River.

POPULATION:  (2009) 7.1 mil.  (2025)  7.4 mil.  (2050)  6.2        mil.

LAND AREA:  362 sq mi (990 sq km) about 6 times the size of Washington, D.C.

TERRAIN:  a series of hilly to mountainous islands and low to north.

COMMENTS:  It is a special district with headquarters of many corporations with many small factories and an active tourist complex.  Travel between Mainland China and Hong Kong is strictly controlled.  Government has limited local autonomy.  Lifestyle remains separate from China.

The citizens of Hong Kong are universally fearful that their political autonomy will be further reduced or lost  through edicts by the Central government at Beijing.

 

JERSEY                     crown dependency of U>K>

Island in English Channel, northwest of France

POPULATION:  (2009)  92 Th.  (2025)  93 Th. (2050)  81 Th.

LAND AREA:  45 sq mi (117 sq km)  about 7/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  temperate with mild winters and summers.

TERRAIN:  gentle rolling with hills in north.  Arable land, 51% with nearly all the balance suitable for agriculture.

KOSOVO      declared independent, administered under U.N. authority

It is located between Albania and Serbia, landlocked

POPULATION:  (2009)  1.8 MIL.  (20255) 2.0 MIL.  (2050)  2.2 MIL.

LAND AREA:  4203  sq. mi. (10887 sq. km.) 4/5 the size of Connecticut

TERRAIN:  Flood plains surrounded by high mountains.

CLIMATE:  Moderate with cool winters.

COMMENT:  Future seems tied to that of the E.U.  It is using the Euro as a monetary unit.  Its economy is diverse and it has many natural resources.

 

MACAU         Special administrative district of China

It is located between the Pearl and West Rivers

POPULATION:  (2009) 560 Th.  (2025) 630 Th.  (2050) 621 Th.

LAND AREA:  10 sq. mi. (26 sq. km.)

TERRAIN: a peninsula and two islands, connected by bridge and causeway.

CLIMATE:  subtropical with warm humid summers and temperate dry winters.

COMMENT:  The mating of Macao with China has increased the tourist trade 4fold since 1999.  Macao’s major sources of livelihood are gambling, tourism, and finance.  It is tax free and with unregulated monetary exchange..  Its future is heavily dependent on the prosperity of China.

 

MAN, ISLE OFD      crown dependency of U.K.

Island in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland.

POPULATION:  (2009)  77 Th.  (20250  82 Th.  (2050)  80 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  Static, life expectancy, 78.6 years.

LAND AREA:  124 sq mi (320 sq km)  3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

TERRAIN:  coastal cliffs and flat, rocky plains.  Arable land, 38%, permanent

crops, 3% and non-agricultural land, 59%.

 

MARTINIQUE                      territory of France

Caribbean island north of Trinidad

LAND AREA:  425 sq mi (1,100 sq km)  over six times the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 426,000; population growth rate, .86% life expectancy, 78.7 years.

CLIMATE:  tropical with moderate rainy season

TERRAIN:  mountainous, with dormant volcano & indented coastline.  Arable land, 10%; permanent crop, 8%; other productive land, 50%

 

MAYOTTE                territory of France

Island in the Mozambique channel about halfway between northern Mozambique

and northern Madagascar.

Population:  (2009)  224 TH.  (2025)357 TH.  (2050)  594 TH.

`\          POPULATION GROWTH:  RED FLAG FROWTH.  LIFE EXPECTANCY, 62.2 YEARS.      

LAND AREA:  146 sq mi (378 sq km) over twice the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE;  tropical, marine with rainy season

TERRAIN:  undulating with ancient volcanic peaks and deep ravines.

 

MIDWAY ISLAND               territory of U.S.A.

Island atoll  about 1/3 of the way from Hawaii to Tokyo

LAND AREA:  2 sq mi (5.2 sq km)

CLIMATE:  tropical but modified by easterly winds

TERRAIN:  low, nearly flat island.  No local population

 

MONTSERAT                      territory of the U.K.

Island Southeast of Puerto Rico

LAND AREA:  39 sq mi (100 sq km)  about 6/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:   (2007 est.) 9,600; population growth rate, 1.04%; life expectancy. 80 years.

CLIMATE:  tropical with little temperature change

TERRAIN;  volcanic, mountainous with narrow coastline.  Arable land, 20%, pasture and forest, 50%.

COMMENT:  Soufried Hills volcano erupted on 18 July, 1995, requiring evacuation of 2/3 of population.  Further eruption occurred with the latest in July, 2003 .

 

NETHERLANDS ANTILES            territory of the Netherlands

Two groups of islands, one north of Venezuela and the other part of the Virgin Islands.

POPULATION:  (2009)  227 TH.  (20250  249 Th.  (2050)  254 Th.

Population growth is too high.  Life expectancy, 78.2 years.

LAND AREA:  377 sq mi (966 sq km)  about 5.5 times the size of Washington D,C.

CLIMATE:  tropical with cooler trade winds

TERRAIN:  generally hilly with volcanic interiors.  Arable land, 8%; non-productive land, 92%

 

NEW CALEDONIA              territory of France

Islands in the South Pacific east of Australia

POPULATION:  (2009)  227 Th.  (2025)  263 Th.  (2050) 292 Th.

POULATION GROWTH:  2.5%; life expectancy, 74.5 years.

LAND AREA:  7,335 sq mi (19,000 sq km) (smaller than New Jersey)

CLIMATE:  hot and humid, tropical, moderated by trade winds

TERRAIN:  coastal plain with interior mountains.  Meadowland, 14%; woodlands, 51%

 

NORFOLK ISLAND                        territory of Australia

Island in South Pacific east of Australia

LAND AREA:  13.4 sq mi (34.6 sq km)  about 2/10 the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.)  2,100.

CLIMATE:  subtropical with little season change

TERRAIN:  volcanic formation  with mostly rolling plains.  Agricultural use, 23% pastureland.

 

NORTHERN MARIANAS ISLANDS        commonwealth, political union with U.S.A.0

Islands in N. Pacific about ¾ of the way from Hawaii to Philippines.

POPULATION:    (2009)  51 Th. (2025)  53 Th.  (2050) 66 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  a little high; life expectancy, 76.3 years.

LAND AREA:    184 sq mi (477 sq km)  about 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical marine with rainy season, little temperature change

TERRAIN:  central islands are level plains and fringe islands are volcanic in origin

COMMENT:  Plebiscite in 1975 agreed to a commonwealth status with the U.S.A., beginning in 1976.

 

NIUE               free association with New Zealand

Island east of Tonga and 2/3 of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

LAND AREA:  100 sq mi (260 sq km)  1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.)1,500; ; population growth rate (-.03%).

CLIMATE:  tropical moderated by trade winds

TERRAIN:  steep interior cliffs and central plateau.  Arable land, 61%; Permanent crop, 4%; meadowlands and forest, 23%; non-productive, 12%.

PALESTINE                          (SEE Gaza Strip”,  “West Bank”)

In 2011, Palestine has applied to the United Nations and various governments to be recognized as a soverign state.

 

PUERTO RICO                     Commonwealth associated with U.S.A.

Island between Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, east of Dominican Republic

POPULATION:  (2009  4.0 mil.  (2025)  4.1 mil.  (2050)  3.7 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH:  static; life expectancy, 78.5 years.

LAND AREA:  3,514 sq m (9,104 sq km)  smaller than Connecticut

CLIMATE:  tropical, marine with little seasonal change

TERRAIN:  mountainous with coastal plain on north with cliffs on west coast.  Arable land, 8%; permanent crop, 9%; meadows & pastures, 41%; ; forests, 20%; rugged terrain, 22%.

COMMENTPuerto Rico is the most populous Commonwealth in the world.  In the last plebiscite in 1998, the people chose to remain a commonwealth.  The alternative choices would have been to become a state of the U.S.A. or an independent nation.

 

REUNION ISLAND              territory of France

Island, in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.

LAND AREA:  965 sq mi (2,510 sq km)  slightly smaller than “Rhode Island

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 70,900; population growth, 1.63%; life expectancy, 72.7 years.

CLIMATE:  tropical but moderated by elevation, cool and dry from May to December but hot and rainy the rest of the year

TERRAIN:  fertile lowland along coast with rugged interior.  Arable land, 20%; permanent crop and pasture, 6%; forest, 35k%; nonproductive, 39%

 

SAINT BARTHELEMY  (ST. BARTS)  French overseas collectivity

One of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.  20 miles (32 km) SE of St. Martin

POPULATION:  (2009) 7.4 Th.  (2025) 7.0 Th.  (2050)  6.5 Th.

Census 2008: 8823

LAND AREA:  8 sq. mi. (21  sq. km)

CLIMATE  Tropical  with pleasant season in winter.                      ;

TERRAIN :  Volcanic Island surrounded by coral reefs.  Average elevation is 1391 feet (434 m.).  There is little fresh water on the island.

OVERVIEW:   The Island has developed a profitable tourist area and maintains itself as a free port.  There are a number of wealthy residents.  Its future depends entirely on tourism.  Many of its citizens work in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

 

SAINT HELENA                   territory of U.K.

Island  about 2/3 of the way from Africa to South America and west of Angola.

LAND AREA:  158 sq mi (410 sq km) slightly larger than Washington, D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 7,500; population growth rate, .53%; life expectancy 75 years.

CLIMATE:  tropical marine, cooled by trade winds

TERRAIN:  Rugged volcanic\c with small plain.  Arable land, 7%; other use, 10%; mountain and beech, 83%.

 

ST. PIERRA & MIQUELON:          territory of France

Islands in the North Atlantic, south of Newfoundland, Canada.

LAND AREA:  85 sq mi (242 sq km)  slightly less than the size of Washington D.C.

POPULATION:  (2007 est. est.) 7,000; population growth rate, .12%; life expectancy, 78.8 years.

CLIMATE:  cold and wet with windy seasons.

 

TERRAIN:  mostly barren rock  Arable land, 15%; forest, 4%; barren, 83%

 

SOCOTRA   territory of Yemen

An island and an archipelago in the Indian Ocean 150 miles E. of the horn of Africa and 200 S. o the Arabian Peninsula.

LAND AREA:  1,465 sq. mi. 382 x 31 miles.

POPULATION:  about 50,000.  Some female lineage is found nowhere else on earth.

CLIMATE:       Tropical, arid and semi-arid

TERRAIN:  Narrow coastal plain, limestone plateau, and ancient volcanic mountains.  See also Wikipedia and World Book.

NOTE:  Socotra has been declared a world Heritage Area because of a great number of species of flora and fauna unique to the Islands.

 

SVALBARD (Spitsbergen)  territory of Norway

Islands halfway between Norway and the North Pole

Islands between Arctic Ocean, Greenland Sea and Norwegian Sea.

LAND AREA:  23,597 sq mi (62,049 sq km)              slightly smaller than West Virginia

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 2,000

CLIMATE;  Arctic, warmed by Atlantic currents.  Cool summers, cold winters

TERRAIN:  West coast is clear of ice for half of year, rugged, wild with mountains   Fjords on west.  No agricultural land and only bushes are crowberries and cloudberry.

 

SOUTH GEORGIA AND SANDWICH ISLANDS   Territory of U.K.

Islands east of the tip of South America in the South Atlantic

LAND AREA:  1,545 sq. miles (4,006 sq. km.)  Slightly larger than Rhode Island.

POPULATION:  No indigenous population

CLIMTE:  Variable & Windy.  Nearly all precipitation is in the form of snow.

TERRAIN:  nearly all of the island rises steeply out of the see with glacier-covered mountains.

 

TASMANIA               Australia, subdivision

Island about 150 mi (240 km) of southeast coast of Australia

LAND AREA:  26,024 sq mi (68,467 sq km)

POPULATION:  (2005)  492,700.  Most live along the rivers in the West.

CKIMATE:    temperate, sometimes likened to that of England

TERRAIN:  Terrain is rugged, especially the Central Highlands  The west coast has heavy rainfall.  The rivers are utilized for hydroelectric power, furnishing most of the power needs of the country.

Note:  Tasmania is separated by the Bass Strait from Australia.  It is quite shallow (not over 50m or 160 feet deep).

 

This results in one the most dangerous straits in the world.  (Tasmania  –  Wikipedia)

                        The Wikipedia article is well-worth reading

 

TOKELAU                 territory of New Zealand

Island group about ½ of the way between Hawaii and New Zealand

LAND AREA:  4 sq mi (10 sq km) 17 times the size of Washington, D.C. mall.

POPULATION:  (2007 est.) 1,400; population growth, static

CLIMATE:  tropical, moderated by trade winds.

 

TERRAIN;  coral atoll enclosing large lagoon.

 

 


TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS


dependency of U.K.

Two island groups southeast of Bahamas in Atlantic bordering the Caribbean

POPULATION:  (2009)  23 Th.  (2025)  32 Th.  (2050)  43 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH:  2%, LIFE EXPECTANCY, 74.9%

LAND AREA:  166 sq mi (430 sq km)  slightly smaller than Washington, D.C.

CLIMATE:  tropical, marine, sunny & relatively dry

TERRAIN:  low, extensive marshes & mangrove.  Arable land, 2^

 

VIRGIN ISLANDS               territory of U.S.

Island group between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico

POPULATION:  (2009)  110 TH.  (20025)  1007 TH.  (2050)  92 TH.

LAND AREA:  w124 sq mi(352 sq km)

 

POPULATION:  (21996 est.)  188,000; population growth rate, (-.0017%); life expectancy, 78.2 yrs.

CLIMATE:  subtropical, tempered by trade winds

TERRAIN:  mostly hilly to mountainous with little level land.  Arable land, 155%; permanent crop, 6%; pastures & forest, 22%; nonproductive, 47%

 

VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH         British overseas territory

Located east of Puerto Rico

POPULATION:   (2009) 24.5 Th.  (2025)  30.8 Th.  (2050)  34.8 Th.  About 18,000 live on the island of Tortilla.

LAND AREA:  59 sq mi. (153 sq. km.)There are over 50 islands, 15 of which are occupied

CLIMATE:  Tropical with cooling breezes.  The area is subject to hurricanes.

TERRAIN:    The islands are mostly of volcanic origin and are quite rugged.

OVERVIEW:  Agriculture is second to tourism.  The islands are near to the U.S. Virgins and their economy is closely related.

 

WAKE ISLAND                    territory of U.S.A.

Island about 2/3 of the way from Hawaii to Marianas islands

LAND AREA:  2.5 sq mi(6.5 sq km) 11 times the size of the Washington Mall

POPULATION: service personnel only

CLIMATE:  tropical

TERRAIN:  Terrain:  atoll of 3 islands on rim of sunken volcanic crater  sandy, coral

 

WEST BANK            main area of the PLO Arab.  Although the area is nominally Palestine, the Israelis are active in policing.  There are at present about ½ million Israelis in settlements on the West Bank.

POPULATION:  (2009)    2.46 mil.  (2025)  3.33 mil.  (2050)  4.38 mil.

LAND AREA:  2255 sq. mi. (5840 sq. km.)

CLIMATE:  Mediterranean with winters quite cool.

TERRAIN. It borders the Jordan on the East to the Dead Sea.  Much of it is rolling. With heights to the North and desert to the east.

OVERVIEW:  Palestine will continue to be in turmoil until Israel discontinues its control and the radical Palestinians cease terrorism.  At present, the Israelis occupy about 40% of the West Bank with roads, settlements, parks, and military posts.  Population growth is not accompanied by an expanding economy.

See also:  Encyclopedia of the Nations, Book 4 of the Nations “Israel”

“West Bank,”  Wikipedia

 

WESTERN SAHARA   Claimed by Morocco, Algeria and local tribes

It is located on the Western Sahara, bordered on the West by the Atlantic, the North by Morocco and the East by Algeria & Mauritania.

POPULATION:  (2009) 405 Th.  (2025) 616 Th.  (2050) 987 Th.

LAND AREA:  103,000 sq. mi. (266,ppp sq. km.)

CLIMATE:  Hot and dry, more moderate along the coast

TERRAIN:  desert area with narrow agricultural strip along the coast.

ADMINISTRATION:  Morocco claims the country but the people seek independence.  The Polisario Front controls the interior.  A  referendum for independence  has been in negotiation since the late 1900’s with no agreement.  The King of Morocco has declared that he will not surrender a grain of sand.  Morocco has been accused by international agencies of violating the rights of residents.

OVERVIEW:    The controversy over independence has continued for over 30 years with no end in sight.

 

See World Almanac p 818,” Morocco:

            “Western Sahara” Wikipedia