CIA World Fact Book, 2004/Bouvet Island


 * }

!| 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.
 * }


 * }

!| Location: !| Geographic coordinates: !| Map references: !| Area: water: 0 sq km land: 58.5 sq km !| Area - comparative: !| Land boundaries: !| Coastline: !| Maritime claims: !| Climate: !| Terrain: !| Elevation extremes: highest point: Olav Peak 935 m !| Natural resources: !| Land use: permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (93% ice) (2001) !| Irrigated land: !| Natural hazards: !| Environment - current issues: !| Geography - note:
 * island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
 * 54 26 S, 3 24 E
 * Antarctic Region
 * total: 58.5 sq km
 * about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
 * 0 km
 * 29.6 km
 * territorial sea: 4 nm
 * antarctic
 * volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
 * lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
 * none
 * arable land: 0%
 * 0 sq km (1998 est.)
 * NA
 * NA
 * covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve
 * }


 * }

!| Population:
 * uninhabited (July 2004 est.)
 * }


 * }

!| Country name: conventional short form: Bouvet Island !| Dependency status: !| Legal system: !| Flag description:
 * conventional long form: none
 * territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo
 * the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
 * the flag of Norway is used
 * }


 * }

!| Economy - overview:
 * no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
 * }


 * }

!| Internet country code: !| Communications - note:
 * .bv
 * automatic meteorological station
 * }


 * }

!| Ports and harbors:
 * none; offshore anchorage only
 * }


 * }

!| Military - note:
 * defense is the responsibility of Norway
 * }