| Bouvet Island (territory of Norway) |
Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

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