ABSTRACT
Tromelin Island is the summit of a volcano which rises some 4,000 m from the ocean floor and is topped by a coral plateau. There is no water and no agriculture, but a landing strip has been built for light aircraft. The island was discovered in 1722 by French sailors and there is no record of any dispute over it until the 20th century. The only effective occupation remains a permanent French meteorological station which was established on 7 May 1954. However, it was at a World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Congress in 1959 that Mauritius stated that it considered Tromelin to be part of its own territory. In 1960, when Madagascar became independent, it also laid claim to the island. The interpretation is that, in addition to Rodrigues and the Seychelles, there were other minor dependencies which remained British, and came under Mauritus following independence on 12 March 1968. Tromelin is unlikely to be the subject of any major dispute.
