ARCHIVE // BV // 2015

Bouvet Island

2015 Edition — territory

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Communications
Communications - note [time series]
has an automatic meteorological station
Internet country code [time series]
.bv
Economy
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 49 sq km | land: 49 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 233
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
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 0% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 0% | other: 100% (93% ice) (2011 est.)
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, 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. In February 2006, an earthquake weakened the station's foundation causing it to be blown out to sea in a winter storm. Norway erected a new research station in 2014 that can hold six people for periods of two to four months.
Military
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Norway
People and Society
Population [time series]
uninhabited
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
none; offshore anchorage only