| ID | 164426 |
| Title Proper | Southwest Indian Ocean Islands: identity, development and cooperation |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Bouchard, Christian |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The Southwest Indian Ocean is characterized by the presence of several islands of different size, culture, socio-economic context and political status. Together, they form an original island region that comprised four island states as well as a certain number of non-sovereign territories (see Figure 1 and Table 1). If the island states are easy to identify (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles), the list of the island territories is subject to debate and varies according to different geographical and political postures and interpretations. In what can be considered as the most common approach, this list includes non-sovereign island territories that are actually subject to territorial disputes between France or the United Kingdom and three of the regional island states, namely Mayotte1
1. Actually controlled by France as a French overseas department and region, claimed by the French Republic and the Union of the Comoros.
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, the Scattered Islands2
2. Actually controlled by France as one of the five districts constituting the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Bassas da India, Europa, Glorioso Islands and Juan de Nova are claimed by the French Republic and the Republic of Madagascar. Comoros has also shown interest for the Glorioso Islands. Tromelin is claimed by the French Republic and the Republic of Mauritius.
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, and the Chagos Archipelago3
3. Actually controlled by the United Kingdom (UK) as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), the Chagos Archipelago is claimed by Mauritius and the United Kingdom.
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, as well as Reunion over which French sovereignty is not contested by its island states neighbors. A broader geographical approach adds the coastal islands of the African continental states of Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania, especially the Zanzibar Archipelago which is a semi-autonomous region of the United Republic of Tanzania. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of The Indian Ocean Region Vol. 15, No.1; Mar 2019: p.1-7 |
| Journal Source | Journal of The Indian Ocean Region Vol: 15 No 1 |
| Key Words | Indian Ocean Islands ; Southwest |