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Mozambique
(C9)
와 Madagascar (5R)
사이에 있는 프랑스령 섬.
<HL1XP>
 Europa
Island : Europa
Island is the largest of
the Scattered French Islands
of the Indian Ocean, with
a land area of 30 km? It
is a desert island situated
in the Mozambique Channel,
about 250 km West by North
West of Toliara (Madagascar),
half way between the East
Coast of Africa and the
West Coast of Madagascar.
Its shape
is roughly circular, 7 km
in the north-south direction,
6 km in the east-west direction.
A shallow lagoon covers
a fifth of the island on
the North West corner (around
900 ha including some 700
ha of mangroves).
Flora
includes mangroves near
the lagoon, euphorbia on
most of the island, filaos
and coconut trees that have
been planted by the French
Meteorological Service.
Fauna
is quite varied. There is
a large colony of birds
(frigates, gannets, terns)
and large herds of wild
goats. The island is also
a migration site for pink
flamingos. At certain periods
during the year, there is
an invasion of mosquitoes
that make it impossible
to venture outside after
sun set. At a certain time
of the year, sea turtles
come here to lay their eggs.
Europa
Island was already known
at the time of the Compagnie
des Indes and of the first
French settlers in Madagascar.
It is said to have been
a haven for pirates fleeing
the French Royal Navy. Two
families from La Reunion
lived there between 1905
and 1910, attempting to
trade sisal and turtle scales.
The main resource is sea
products. Farming is very
difficult because of the
large number of rodents
on the island.
Since
1949, a weather station
is in operation. It is of
high importance as it allows
predicting cyclones in the
Mozambique Channel, and
to make sea and air navigation
safer between South Africa
and Madagascar.
Europa
island has been established
as a natural reserve (EEZ:
127 300 km?. <http://europa2003.free.fr/europa_2003-e.htm>
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