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.
Geography
Bouvet Island
Location:
island in the South Atlantic
Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates:
54 26 S, 3 24 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 49 sq km
land: 49 sq km water: 0 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
