evidence: Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. [...] Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon) [...] Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon;