SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(2 fields)
Communications - note
automatic meteorological station
Internet country code
.bv
◆ ECONOMY(1 fields)
Economy - overview
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
◆ GEOGRAPHY(17 fields)
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
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
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2001)
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
◆ GOVERNMENT(4 fields)
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
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
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, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.
◆ MILITARY(1 fields)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Norway
◆ PEOPLE(1 fields)
Population
uninhabited (July 2004 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(1 fields)
Disputes - international
none
◆ TRANSPORTATION(1 fields)
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only