evidence: Juan de Nova Island, Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, France Juan de Nova Island is a tropical island governed by France that is in the narrowest area of the Mozambique Channel, roughly one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique. It is a small, flat island 4.8 square kilometers in size. Anchorage is possible off the island’s northeast coast, which also has an airfield. Administratively, the island is part of the Indian Ocean’s Scattered Islands district, which is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. The island is manned by French troops from Réunion and has a weather station.