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Bouvet Island (territory of Norway) |
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Introduction
Geography
People
Government
Economy
Communications
Transportation
Military
Transnational Issues Print This Frame Airports Hotels
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| Bouvet Island | Introduction | Top of Page |
| 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. |
| Bouvet Island | Geography | Top of Page |
| Location: | Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) |
| Geographic coordinates: | 54 26 S, 3 24 E |
| Map references: | Antarctic Region |
| Area: |
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 |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 29.6 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 4 NM |
| Climate: | antarctic |
| Terrain: | volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 m; coast is mostly inaccessible |
| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
| Natural resources: | none |
| Land use: |
arable land:
0%
permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) |
| Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1993) |
| Natural hazards: | NA |
| Environment - current issues: | NA |
| Geography - note: | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
| Bouvet Island | People | Top of Page |
| Population: | uninhabited (July 2001 est.) |
| Bouvet Island | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: |
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 |
| Legal system: | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply |
| Flag description: | the flag of Norway is used |
| Bouvet Island | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve |
| Bouvet Island | Communications | Top of Page |
| Internet country code: | .bv |
| Communications - note: | automatic meteorological station |
| Bouvet Island | Transportation | Top of Page |
| Waterways: | none |
| Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only |
| Bouvet Island | Military | Top of Page |
| Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of Norway |
| Bouvet Island | Transnational Issues | Top of Page |
| Disputes - international: | none |