Bouvet Island (2003) | Tromelin Island (2002) | |
Airports | - | 1 (2001) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2002) |
Area | total: 58.5 sq km
land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC | about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in 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. | First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. |
Climate | antarctic | tropical |
Coastline | 29.6 km | 3.7 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin |
Dependency status | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion |
Disputes - international | none | claimed by Madagascar and Mauritius |
Economy - overview | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve | no economic activity |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of Norway is used | the flag of France is used |
Geographic coordinates | 54 26 S, 3 24 E | 15 52 S, 54 25 E |
Geography - note | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve | climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.) |
Legal system | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply | the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
Location | island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) | Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar |
Map references | Antarctic Region | Africa |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 4 NM | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Norway | defense is the responsibility of France |
Natural hazards | NA | NA |
Natural resources | none | fish |
Population | uninhabited (July 2003 est.) | uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2002 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible | low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic |
Waterways | none | none |