1BluePlanet Bouvet Island

bouvet island

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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, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.

GEOGRAPHY
Country name:	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Capital:
Location:	island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic Coordinates:	54 26 S, 3 24 E
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; coast is mostly inaccessible
Elavation Extremes:	lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
Natural Resources:	none
GOVERNEMENT
Governement Type:	( automatic meteorological station )
Administratives Divisions:	territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo
Independence
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Legal System;	the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Suffrage
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PEOPLE
Population:	uninhabited (July 2004 est.)
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COMUNICATIONS
Telephones - main lines in use:	( automatic meteorological station )
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Internet country code:	.bv
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TRANSPORT
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Ports and harbors:	none; offshore anchorage only
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