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KOSHER DELIGHT - YOUR JEWISH ONLINE MAGAZINE!
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BASSAS DA INDIA
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BASSAS DA
INDIA, BACKGROUND:
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This atoll is a volcanic rock
surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since
1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing
in Reunion in 1968. |
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Location: Southern Africa, islands in
the southern Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from
Madagascar to Mozambique. |
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Bassas da India (also called Basse
de Judie) is an uninhabited, roughly circular
atoll
about 10 km (6 mi) in diameter, which corresponds to a total
size (including
lagoon) of 80 km2 (31 sq mi). It is located in
the southern
Mozambique Channel, about half-way between
Madagascar (which is 385 km (239 mi) to the east) and
Mozambique, and 110 km (68 mi) northwest of
Europa Island. It rises steeply from the
seabed 3000 m below. The reef rim averages around 100 m
across and completely encloses a shallow lagoon that has a
maximum depth of 15 m Its
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 123,700 km2
(47,761 sq mi) is contiguous with that of
Europa Island. |
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The atoll
consists of ten barren rocky islets, with no vegetation,
totalling 0.2 km² (.077 sq mi) in area. Those on the north and
east sides are 2.1 to 3 m high, and those on the west and south
sides 1.2 m The reef is completely covered by the sea from 3
hours before to 3 hours after high tide. The coastline of the
reef measures 35.2 km (22 mi). The region is subject to
cyclones. The atoll has long been a maritime hazard and is
the site of numerous
shipwrecks.
About 40 and 70 km southwest of Bassas da
India are
Jaguar Seamount and
Hall Tablemount.
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History: |
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Bassas da India was first recorded by
Portuguese explorers in the early sixteenth century. It was
first named Baixo da Judia, "Shoal of Judia". "Judia" was
the name of a Portuguese ship that ran aground on this reef.
This ship was named "Judia" (Jewess
in Portuguese), because its owner was a Jewish trader from
Portugal. The name became
Bassas da India due to
transcription errors by cartographers. |
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It was also discovered by the Europa
in 1774, hence the name "the Europa Rocks".
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"The Malay was lost July 27, 1842,
on Europa Rocks in Mozambique Channel" |
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In 1897 it became a
French possession, later being placed under the
administration of a commissioner residing in
Réunion in 1968.
Madagascar continues to claim sovereignty over the islands.
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Tourism: |
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Diving at Bassas Da India requires a permit
from the French Government. If you dive without this permit your
boat will be asked to leave or may even be confiscated.
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KOSHER DELIGHT MAGAZINE
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