CIA SealFactbook Logo Bouvet Island
(territory of Norway)		 Flag of Bouvet Island
   Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues  
Map of Bouvet Island

Bouvet Island    Introduction Top of Page
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.
Bouvet Island    Geography Top of Page
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

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; maximum elevation about 800 m; 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%

permanent pastures:  0%

forests and woodland:  0%

other:  100% (93% ice)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve
Bouvet Island    People Top of Page
Population: uninhabited (July 2001 est.)
Bouvet Island    Government Top of Page
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
Bouvet Island    Economy Top of Page
Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Bouvet Island    Communications Top of Page
Internet country code: .bv
Communications - note: automatic meteorological station
Bouvet Island    Transportation Top of Page
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Bouvet Island    Military Top of Page
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
Bouvet Island    Transnational Issues Top of Page
Disputes - international: none