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Antarctica :: Bouvet Island (territory of Norway)

- ## Introduction :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Background:
  This uninhabited, volcanic, Antarctic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers making it difficult to approach; it is recognized as the most remote island on Earth. Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom it is 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, Norway has run an automated meteorological station and studied foraging strategies and distribution of fur seals and penguins on the island. In February 2006, an earthquake weakened the station's foundation causing it to be blown out to sea in a winter storm. Norway erected a new research station in 2014 that can hold six people for periods of two to four months.

- ## Geography :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Location:
  island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
  Geographic coordinates:
  54 26 S, 3 24 E
  Map references:
  Antarctic Region
  Area:
  total: 49 sq km
  land: 49 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 233
  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; coast is mostly inaccessible
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
  Natural resources:
  none
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 0%
  arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 0%
  other: 100% (93% ice) (2011 est.)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  NA
  Geography - note:
  covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway

- ## People and Society :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Population:
  uninhabited

- ## Government :: BOUVET ISLAND

- 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 Oslo Police
  Legal system:
  the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
  Flag description:
  the flag of Norway is used

- ## Economy :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Economy - overview:
  no economic activity; declared a nature reserve

- ## Communications :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Internet country code:
  .bv
  Communications - note:
  has an automatic meteorological station

- ## Transportation :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Ports and terminals:
  none; offshore anchorage only

- ## Military :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Norway

- ## Transnational Issues :: BOUVET ISLAND

- Disputes - international:
  none

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