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Background:
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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. |
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Location:
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island in
the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good
Hope (South Africa) |
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Geographic coordinates:
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54 26 S,
3 24 E |
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Map references:
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Antarctic
Region |
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Area:
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total:
58.5 sq km
land: 58.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 0.3
times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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29.6 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 4 nm |
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Climate:
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antarctic
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Terrain:
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volcanic;
coast is mostly inaccessible |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest
point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Olav Peak 935 m |
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Natural resources:
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none |
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Land use:
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arable
land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (93% ice) (2001) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km
(1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Geography - note:
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covered
by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve |
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Population:
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uninhabited (July 2005 est.) |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Bouvet Island |
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Dependency status:
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territory
of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the
Ministry of Justice and Police from Oslo |
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Legal system:
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the laws
of Norway, where applicable, apply |
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Flag description:
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the flag
of Norway is used |
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Economy - overview:
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no
economic activity; declared a nature reserve |
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Internet country code:
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.bv |
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Communications - note:
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automatic
meteorological station |
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Ports and terminals:
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none;
offshore anchorage only |
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Military - note:
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defense
is the responsibility of Norway |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
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