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Bouvet Island   Click to enlarge	Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues
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Legend: Definition of Term Arranged by Countries Field Listing    Introduction    Bouvet Island 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.    Geography    Bouvet Island 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 water: 0 sq km land: 58.5 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; 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% other: 100% (93% ice) (1998 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Geography - note: covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve    People    Bouvet Island Top of Page Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)    Government    Bouvet Island 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    Economy    Bouvet Island Top of Page Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve    Communications    Bouvet Island Top of Page Internet country code: .bv Communications - note: automatic meteorological station    Transportation    Bouvet Island Top of Page Waterways: none Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only    Military    Bouvet Island Top of Page Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway    Transnational Issues    Bouvet Island Top of Page Disputes - international: none

Source:
The World Factbook 2002
Updated: 19 March 2003