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.

island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)

54 26 S, 3 24 E

Antarctic Region

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km

29.6 km

antarctic

volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible

none

0 sq km

NA

NA

covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway

uninhabited

territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

the flag of Norway is used

no economic activity; declared a nature reserve

.bv

6 (2010)

automatic meteorological station

none; offshore anchorage only

defense is the responsibility of Norway

none