| Published on November 12, 2009 |
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Country Report
Bouvet Island
 Introduction
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, 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
Location: island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E
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
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway
People
Population: uninhabited
Government
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 Oslo Police
Legal system: the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply
Flag description: the flag of Norway is used
Economy
Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve
Communications
Internet country code: .bv
Internet hosts: 0 (2009)
Communications - note: automatic meteorological station
Transportation
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
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