This atoll exists as volcanic rock circled by reefs and exists awash at high tide. A French ownership since 1897, it was placed below the establishment of an Administrateur Superieur of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.

Bassas da India (also called Basse de Judie) exists an uninhabited, roughly circular atoll about 10 km within diameter, which corresponds to a total size (including lagoon) of 80 km². It exists settled at 21°27'S 39°45'E, around the southern Mozambique Channel, just about half-way between Madagascar (which one exists 385 km to the east) and Mozambique, and 110 km northwest of Europa Island.

It rises steeply caused by the seabed 3000 m beneath. The reef rim averages around 100 m across & completely encloses a shallow lagoon that has a maximal depth of 15 m. Its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 123,700 km² is contiguous by owning that of Europa Island.

The atoll belongs of ten barren rocky islets, with no vegetation, totalling 0.2 km² within area. These on the north & east sides are 2.1 to 3 m high, & Those on the west & south sides 1.2 m. The reef is entirely covered created by the sea derived from 3 hours prior to to 3 hours after high tide.

The coastline of the reef measures 35.2 km. The region is subject to cyclones. The atoll has long exist a maritime hazard & is the site of many shipwrecks.

Bassas da India was first recorded by Portuguese explorers inside the early 16th century. In 1897 it became a French possession, later being placed below the organization of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.