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Antarctica :: Bouvet Island
(territory of Norway)
page last updated on May 25, 2011
Flag of Bouvet Island
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Bouvet Island
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Map of Bouvet Island
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Introduction ::Bouvet Island
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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, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island.
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Geography ::Bouvet Island
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island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
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54 26 S, 3 24 E
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total: 49 sq km
country comparison to the world: 232
land: 49 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
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0 km
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29.6 km
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territorial sea: 4 nm
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antarctic
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volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
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lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
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none
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arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)
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0 sq km
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NA
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NA
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covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway
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People and Society ::Bouvet Island
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uninhabited
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Government ::Bouvet Island
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island
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territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police
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the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
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the flag of Norway is used
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Economy ::Bouvet Island
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no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
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Communications ::Bouvet Island
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.bv
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6 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 225
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automatic meteorological station
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Transportation ::Bouvet Island
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none; offshore anchorage only
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Military ::Bouvet Island
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defense is the responsibility of Norway
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Transnational Issues ::Bouvet Island
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none
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