"My Travels to Bassas da India" Bassas da India by acjobim

Bassas da India Travel Guide: 3 reviews and 20 photos

Well, let's just say that this is quite a unique place. I first found it when I was trying to find out what the smallest country in the world is. Apparently the smallest official country is Holy See (Vatican City) with about 4 tenths of a sqare kilometer land area, but even smaller than Holy See is Bassas da India with about 2 tenths of a square kilometer. It's not officially it's own country (though it SHOULD be)--it is "claimed" by the French. The French have failed miserably in developing Bassas da India, and despite claiming it as their own territory, they've apparently ignored any responsibility in promoting economic growth on the little atoll. Yes, it is an atoll--the uppermost portion of the rim of a submerged volcano, so at sea level it appears as a ring of volcanic rock. Yes this land is unarable, and "Bassas" (as I like to call it) offers virtually no natural resources. But it's natural beauty surpasses that of any other place in my opinion. One important travel tip to bear in mind: don't visit Bassas during high tide, because that's when the country is awash (submerged).

Pros and Cons

Pros:Unsurpassed natural beauty
Cons:The country is awash (submerged) at high tide (twice a day).
In a nutshell:Free Tibet? No, my friend-- Free Bassas da India! The French have poorly governed this land, and should NOT be in possession of it.

Last visit to Bassas da India: Jul 2003
Intro Written Oct 22, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Comments (4)

kaluvzmc Feb 18, 2006 at 9:36 PM Report Abuse

very interesting, but you really should get some pictures of the place!!
daarth Dec 11, 2005 at 8:24 AM Report Abuse

But HAVE you been there??
Norali Feb 4, 2005 at 4:29 PM Report Abuse

NO pics ? should be interesting
pieter_jan_v Nov 11, 2004 at 12:59 PM Report Abuse

Interesting facts and it seems your the only VT-explorer of this country. PJ