Bouvet Island (2007) | Europa Island (2004) | |
Airports | - | 1 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | - | total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Area | total: 49 sq km
land: 49 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 28 sq km
land: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC | about 0.16 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, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island. | A French possession since 1897, the island is heavily wooded; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station. |
Climate | antarctic | tropical |
Coastline | 29.6 km | 22.2 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa |
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 |
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 24 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 | 22 20 S, 40 22 E |
Geography - note | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve | wildlife sanctuary |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km | 0 sq km (1998 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mangrove forests and woodlands) (2001) |
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 Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique |
Map references | Antarctic Region | Africa |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 4 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Norway | defense is the responsibility of France |
Natural hazards | NA | NA |
Natural resources | none | NEGL |
Population | uninhabited | no indigenous inhabitants
note: there is a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists; visited by scientists (July 2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | - | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible | low and flat |