Tromelin Island (2003) | Bouvet Island (2004) | |
Airports | 1 (2002) | - |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2002) |
- |
Area | total: 1 sq km
land: 1 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 58.5 sq km
land: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
Background | 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. | 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 | tropical | antarctic |
Coastline | 3.7 km | 29.6 km |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin |
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
Dependency status | possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion | territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo |
Disputes - international | claimed by Mauritius | none |
Economy - overview | no economic activity | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 7 m |
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Flag description | the flag of France is used | the flag of Norway is used |
Geographic coordinates | 15 52 S, 54 25 E | 54 26 S, 3 24 E |
Geography - note | climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
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% (grasses; scattered bushes) (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2001) |
Legal system | the laws of France, where applicable, apply | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
Location | Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar | island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) |
Map references | Africa | Antarctic Region |
Maritime claims | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 4 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of France | defense is the responsibility of Norway |
Natural hazards | NA | NA |
Natural resources | fish | none |
Population | uninhabited, except for visits by scientists (July 2003 est.) | uninhabited (July 2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | none; offshore anchorage only | none; offshore anchorage only |
Terrain | low, flat, and sandy; likely volcanic | volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible |
Waterways | none | - |