Antarctica :: Bouvet Island
(territory of Norway)
page last updated on May 25, 2011
Flag of Bouvet Island
Location of Bouvet Island
 
Map of Bouvet Island
Introduction ::Bouvet Island
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
island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
54 26 S, 3 24 E
total: 49 sq km
country comparison to the world: 231
land: 49 sq km
water: 0 sq km
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
0 km
29.6 km
territorial sea: 4 nm
antarctic
volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
none
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)
0 sq km
NA
NA
covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway
People ::Bouvet Island
uninhabited
Government ::Bouvet Island
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police
the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
the flag of Norway is used
Economy ::Bouvet Island
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Communications ::Bouvet Island
.bv
6 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 225
automatic meteorological station
Transportation ::Bouvet Island
none; offshore anchorage only
Military ::Bouvet Island
defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues ::Bouvet Island
none