ARCHIVE // BV // 2010

Bouvet Island

2010 Edition — territory

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Communications
Communications - note [time series]
automatic meteorological station
Internet country code [time series]
.bv
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 225
Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 49 sq km country comparison to the world: 232 land: 49 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
antarctic
Coastline [time series]
29.6 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Olav Peak 935 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
NA
Geographic coordinates [time series]
54 26 S, 3 24 E
Geography - note [time series]
covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)
Location [time series]
island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Map references [time series]
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 4 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
NA
Natural resources [time series]
none
Terrain [time series]
volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
Government
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Dependency status [time series]
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
the flag of Norway is used
Legal system [time series]
the laws of Norway where applicable apply
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Norway
People
Population [time series]
uninhabited
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only