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