Scattered Islands

The Scattered Islands (Îles Éparses) are a remote French-administered group of five low-lying islands and atolls in the western Indian Ocean, spread across the Mozambique Channel and east of Madagascar. Rather than a conventional city, the district is a cluster of uninhabited coral islands with small rotating teams of French military, meteorological and scientific staff.

The group includes Bassas da India, a mostly submerged atoll; Europa Island, the largest at about 28 km²; the Glorioso Islands; Juan de Nova; and Tromelin Island, which lies further east. Together they cover roughly 44 km² of land, with shallow reefs, sand flats, lagoons and nesting beaches that support large seabird colonies and green sea turtles.

France has held the islands since the nineteenth century, and they now form the fifth district of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, administered from Réunion. Sovereignty over several islands is disputed by Madagascar, while the Comoros claims the Glorioso Islands, giving the district a distinctive strategic and diplomatic importance.

The islands are valued mainly for conservation and science. Much of the district is protected as nature reserves or Ramsar wetlands, and research missions monitor seabirds, turtles, coral reefs, weather and climate. Facilities are limited to small weather and military stations, unpaved airstrips and supply anchorages.

Access is tightly controlled and there are no hotels, restaurants or public transport services. As a result, the Scattered Islands are relevant almost exclusively to authorized scientific expeditions, government missions and specialists rather than leisure travellers, though their isolation and untouched ecosystems make them a remarkable destination for those who can visit.