Minor French Dependencies

1521                       Probably discovered by Ferdinand Magellan.
1704                       Reportedly discovered by English Captain John Clipperton.
 3 Apr 1711                Claimed for France by Captains Martin de Chassiron and Michel
                             Du Bocage of La Princesse and La Découvert, named
                             Ile de la Passion.
Apr 1831                   Re-sighted by John Fitzgerald.
1855                       Claimed by France.
1856                       Claimed by U.S. 
17 Nov 1858                Annexed by France (subordinated to French Polynesia).
1893 - 1897                English and Mexican phosphate exploitation by Oceanic Phosphate
                             Company.
13 Dec 1897                Annexed and occupied by Mexico, named Isla de la Pasión.
28 Jan 1931                Awarded to France following arbitration.
26 Jan 1935                France reestablisheed possession (subordinated to French Polynesia).
16 Jun 1936 - 21 Feb 2007  Administered by the High Commissioner for French Polynesia.
22 Dec 1944 - 23 Oct 1945  Occupied by U.S. Navy in the "Island X" secret opration.
20 Mar 1986                Clipperton becomes a domaine public de l'État (State-owned public
                             domain).
22 Feb 2007 -              Directly administered by the Minister of Overseas France (who
                             delegates his powers to Higher Commissioner of French Polynesia).                   

Mexican Military governors
13 Dec 1897 - 11 Sep 1905  ....
11 Sep 1905 - 1916         Ramón Arnaud                    (d. 1916)
1916 - Jul 1917            Victoriano Álvarez (acting)     (d. 1917)
U.S. Commander
22 Dec 1944 - 23 Oct 1945  George Lowry                    (b. 1889 - d. 1981)

Bassas da India
 

Map of Basas da India

Population: Uninhabited

16th cent.                 Discovered by Portuguese sailors.
28 Feb 1897                Claimed by France, part of French Madagascar colony.
26 Jun 1960                French possession; administered by the High Commissioner 
                             for Reunion (from 1968).
 3 Jan 2005                Transferred to the administrators of French Southern and
                             Antarctic Lands.
15 Mar 2007                Incorporated into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Territorial Dispute: Claimed by Madagascar

Banc du Geyser (Geysir)

c.1650                     Shown on Spanish maps as Arecife de Santo Antonio.
23 Dec 1678                Named Geysir Reef when the English vessel Geysir ran on the reef.
28 Feb 1897                Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel,
                             claimed by France, part of French Madagascar colony.
26 Jun 1960                French possession; administered by the High Commissioner 
                             for Reunion (from 1968). 
1976                       Declared by annexed by Madagascar.
 3 Jan 2005                Transferred to the administrators of French Southern and
                             Antarctic Lands.
15 Mar 2007                Incorporated into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Territorial Dispute: Claimed by Comoros and Madagascar.

1774                       Visited by the British ship Europa.
28 Feb 1897                Claimed by France, part of French Madagascar colony.
26 Jun 1960                French possession administered by the High Commissioner 
                             for Reunion.
 3 Jan 2005                Transferred to the administrators of French Southern and
                             Antarctic Lands.
15 Mar 2007                Incorporated into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Territorial Dispute: Claimed by Madagascar

 2 Mar 1880                Settled and named by Frenchman Hippolyte Caltaux.
23 Aug 1892                Claimed for France, part of French Madagascar.
26 Jun 1960                French possession administered by the High Commissioner 
                             for Reunion.
 3 Jan 2005                Transferred to the administrators of French Southern and
                             Antarctic Lands.
15 Mar 2007                Incorporated into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Proprietor
 2 Mar 180 - 1891          Hippolyte Caltaux (1st time)       (b. 1847 - d. af.1907)
1901 - 1907                Hippolyte Caltaux (2nd time)       (s.a.) 

Territorial Dispute: Claimed by Madagascar

1501                       Discovered by Portuguese Admiral João da Nova.
28 Feb 1897                Claimed by France, part of French Madagascar colony.
26 Jun 1960                French possession administered by the High Commissioner 
                             for Reunion.
 3 Jan 2005                Transferred to the administrators of French Southern and
                             Antarctic Lands.
15 Mar 2007                Incorporated into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Territorial Dispute: Claimed by Madagascar

1722                       First French visit.
1776                       Explored by French Captain the chevalier de Tromelin on
                             warship La Dauphine.
1814                       Under the jurisdiction of Reunion.
28 Feb 1897                Part of French Madagascar colony.
1954                       France begins garrisoning on the island.
26 Jun 1960                French possession; administered by the High Commissioner 
                             for Reunion.
 3 Jan 2005                Transferred to the administrators of French Southern and
                             Antarctic Lands.
15 Mar 2007                Incorporated into the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Territorial Dispute: Claimed by Mauritius.