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  Bouvet Island
(territory of Norway)		  
Flag of Bouvet Island
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 Geography
 People
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 Economy
 Communications
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This page was last updated on 14 May 2009


Map of Bouvet Island




Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order

   Introduction    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Background:
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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, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island.
   Geography    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Location:
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island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates:
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54 26 S, 3 24 E
Map references:
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Antarctic Region
Area:
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total: 49 sq km
land: 49 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
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about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
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29.6 km
Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 4 nm
Climate:
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antarctic
Terrain:
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volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
Natural resources:
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none
Land use:
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)
Irrigated land:
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0 sq km
Natural hazards:
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NA
Environment - current issues:
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NA
Geography - note:
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covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway
   People    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Population:
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uninhabited
   Government    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Dependency status:
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territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police
Legal system:
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the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
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the flag of Norway is used
   Economy    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Economy - overview:
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no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
   Communications    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Internet country code:
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.bv
Internet hosts:
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6 (2008)
Communications - note:
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automatic meteorological station
   Transportation    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Ports and terminals:
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none; offshore anchorage only
   Military    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of Norway
   Transnational Issues    Bouvet Island Top of Page
Disputes - international:
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none

This page was last updated on 14 May 2009
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