- Bouvet Island
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Introduction ::Bouvet IslandBackground:This uninhabited, volcanic, Antarctic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers making it difficult to approach; it is recognized as the most remote island on Earth. Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom it is 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, Norway has run an automated meteorological station and studied foraging strategies and distribution of fur seals and penguins on the island.Geography ::Bouvet IslandLocation:island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)Geographic coordinates:54 26 S, 3 24 EArea:total: 49 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 233land: 49 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmArea - comparative:about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:29.6 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea: 4 nmClimate:antarcticTerrain:volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessibleElevation extremes:lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Olav Peak 935 mNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%other: 100% (93% ice) (2011)Natural hazards:NAEnvironment - current issues:NAGeography - note:covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by NorwayPeople and Society ::Bouvet IslandPopulation:uninhabitedGovernment ::Bouvet IslandCountry name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Bouvet IslandDependency status:territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo PoliceLegal system:the laws of Norway, where applicable, applyFlag description:the flag of Norway is usedEconomy ::Bouvet IslandEconomy - overview:no economic activity; declared a nature reserveCommunications ::Bouvet IslandInternet country code:.bvInternet hosts:6 (2012)country comparison to the world: 230Communications - note:has an automatic meteorological stationTransportation ::Bouvet IslandPorts and terminals:none; offshore anchorage onlyMilitary ::Bouvet IslandMilitary - note:defense is the responsibility of NorwayTransnational Issues ::Bouvet IslandDisputes - international:none"
The World Factbook. 2014.
