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The World Factbook 2002
| Bouvet Island |

Introduction | Bouvet Island

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.

Geography | Bouvet Island

Location: | Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates: | 54 26 S, 3 24 E
Map references: | Antarctic Region
Area: | total: 58.5 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 58.5 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
Elevation extremes: | lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
Natural resources: | none
Land use: | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: | NA
Environment - current issues: | NA
Geography - note: | covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve

People | Bouvet Island

Population: | uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
Population growth rate: | NA

Government | Bouvet Island

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
Legal system: | the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Flag description: | the flag of Norway is used

Economy | Bouvet Island

Economy - overview: | no economic activity; declared a nature reserve

Communications | Bouvet Island

Internet country code: | .bv
Communications - note: | automatic meteorological station

Transportation | Bouvet Island

Waterways: | none
Ports and harbors: | none; offshore anchorage only

Military | Bouvet Island

Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of Norway

Transnational Issues | Bouvet Island

Disputes - international: | none

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002