| Clipperton Island | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Capital city | Camp Bougainville (abandoned) |
|---|---|
| Area | 6 km² |
| Population | 0 hab. |
| Density | 0 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | State public domain French |
| Official language | French |
| Spindle | UTC − 08: 00 |
| Location | |
 10 ° 17 ′ 38 ″ N 109 ° 13 ′ 2 ″ W | |
| Government site | |
TheClipperton Island also named Passion Island is an atoll located 1120 kilometers from Mexico in the Pacific Ocean, making it the most isolated in the world to date. This territory is totally uninhabited and is mainly visited by Mexican and French fishermen patrolling it.
Understand
This isolated island was named in homage to John Clipperton, a British pirate who discovered it in XVIIIe century.
Annexed by France in 1855, the atoll was captured by Mexico in 1897. It was only after much debate that France took possession of it in 1935. Its old name Île de la Passion was officially given in 1711 by French discoverers and remains sometimes used today.
The island has been uninhabited since World War II.
To go
By plane
Since 1944 and the American occupation of the island, there has been a more or less functional airstrip, reserved for small and medium-sized planes, the preferable option remains the seaplane.
On a boat
No cruise passes near the atoll. It is nevertheless possible to go there in the company of a patrol. The shortest route would be to set sail at the port ofAcapulco located west of Mexico.
Despite an exclusively maritime service, there is neither a port nor any docking point. The only solution is to use an additional smaller boat (Zodiac type or equivalent preferably ...) if you absolutely want to disembark on the atoll. Be aware, however, that episodes of breaking waves usually occur, which makes any access difficult or even rigorously impossible in these conditions.
The lagoon is obviously inaccessible and non-navigable by boat, the latter being almost permanently enclosed by the strip of sand.
However, access authorizations are issued by the High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia.
Circulate
Only walking takes place on this atoll isolated from the rest of the world.
Be careful when walking on soft sand as well as pieces of coral which can cause all kinds of more or less serious injuries (sprains, cuts, presence of crabs ...). You will have understood it: bare feet are strongly discouraged except on the immediate edge of the ocean.
See
There are a few notable places in Clipperton.
- 1 Camp Bougainville (West of the island) – Old camp today abandoned. It is the place where the French resided during scientific expeditions
Make
There are few activities available on the island. Survival being the main occupation on Clipperton in general.
Buy
Clipperton Island has absolutely no commerce. However, there is a stamp with the image of the island dating from 2011, and with a face value of 1 €.
Eat
Considering the configuration of the place, we can consider that only fish from your own catch or freshly picked coconuts will be able to be part of your diet ... unless you bring your additional food provisions.
Do not eat crabs even if they are numerous, risks of toxicity have been reported with regard to their consumption.
To drink
Here too, it is prudent to bring your drinking water reserves.
Although lagoon water is not considered to be harmful to health, it is not fashionable to drink it due to its repulsive taste.
Housing
There is no accommodation on Clipperton Island, so you have to set up your own camp.
Remember to build protection to prevent crabs from entering it, bring wax balls if you are a light sleeper (sound of waves and birds ...).
security
Heat, sun and lack of water will be your worst enemies, so plan to eat and drink enough.
The climate calls for sunscreen and sunglasses due to strong UV radiation. You should also know that the island is occasionally subject to heavy rains and tropical storms. Swimming remains highly risky due to the presence of many sharks.
It is obvious that the isolation of the atoll makes any act of assistance and relief almost impossible.
Communicate
Although uninhabited and without any infrastructure, a postal code (98799) has been assigned by default to Clipperton Island even though no mail or parcel delivery service serves the premises.
Radio equipment with substantial autonomy and spare batteries would be the best way to stay in close communication, especially with hypothetical planes and ships passing nearby.
