| 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. |
| 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 |
| Maritime
claims: |
territorial
sea: 4 NM |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| Environment
- current issues: |
NA |
| Geography
- note: |
covered by
glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
| Population: |
uninhabited (July
2001 est.) |
| 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 |
| Economy
- overview: |
no economic
activity; declared a nature reserve |
| Internet
country code: |
.bv |
| Communications
- note: |
automatic
meteorological station |
| Ports
and harbors: |
none; offshore
anchorage only |
| Military
- note: |
defense is the
responsibility of Norway |
| Disputes
- international: |
none |
|
