Bouvet Island (2001) | Bouvet Island (2001) | |
Area | total:
58.5 sq km land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total:
58.5 sq km land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC | about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825 when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. | This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825 when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island. |
Climate | antarctic | antarctic |
Coastline | 29.6 km | 29.6 km |
Country name | conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
conventional long form:
none conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
Dependency status | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve |
Elevation extremes | lowest point:
South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
lowest point:
South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Norway is used | the flag of Norway is used |
Geographic coordinates | 54 26 S, 3 24 E | 54 26 S, 3 24 E |
Geography - note | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1993) | 0 sq km (1993) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) |
arable land:
0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) |
Legal system | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) | Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) |
Map references | Antarctic Region | Antarctic Region |
Maritime claims | territorial sea:
4 NM |
territorial sea:
4 NM |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Norway | defense is the responsibility of Norway |
Natural hazards | NA | NA |
Natural resources | none | none |
Population | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 m; coast is mostly inaccessible | volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 m; coast is mostly inaccessible |
Waterways | none | none |