Bouvet Island

   Introduction 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.
  
   Geography Bouvet Island
   -----------------------
                              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
   --------------------
                                    Population: uninhabited (July 2002 est.)
                        Population growth rate: NA
  
   Government Bouvet Island
   ------------------------
                          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
   ---------------------
                       Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a
                                           nature reserve
  
   Communications Bouvet Island
   ----------------------------
                     Internet country code: .bv
                     Communications - note: automatic meteorological station
  
   Transportation Bouvet Island
   ----------------------------
                                    Waterways: none
                            Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
  
   Military Bouvet Island
   ----------------------
                          Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
                                           Norway
  
   Transnational Issues Bouvet Island
   ----------------------------------
                                              Disputes - international: none