Background: This uninhabited, volcanic, Antarctic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers making it difficult to approach; it is recognized as the most remote island on Earth. (It is furthest in distance from any other point of land, 1,639 km from Antarctica.) Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom it is named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. A few expeditions visited the island in the late 19th century. In 1929, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island two years previously. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station and studied foraging strategies and distribution of fur seals and penguins on the island. In February 2006, an earthquake weakened the station's foundation causing it to be blown out to sea in a winter storm. Norway erected a new research station in 2014 that can hold six people for periods of two to four months.

Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E

Map reference: Antarctic Region

Area
Total: 49 km²
Land: 49 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 232
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
Lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Olavtoppen (Olav Peak) 780 m

Natural resources: none

Land use
Agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
Forest: 0% (2011 est.)
Other: 100% (2011 est.)

Natural hazards: occasional volcanism, rock slides; harsh climate, surrounded by pack ice in winter

Geography
Note: almost entirely covered by glacial ice (93%); declared a nature reserve by Norway; the distance from Bouvet Island to Norway is 12,776 km, which is almost one-third the circumference of the earth

Population
Note: uninhabited

Environment
Current issues: none; almost entirely ice covered

Country name
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Bouvet Island
Etymology: named after the French naval officer Jean-Baptiste Charles BOUVET who discovered the island in 1739
Note: pronounced boo-vay i-land

Legal system: the laws of Norway apply where applicable

Flag description: the flag of Norway is used

Internet
Country code: .bv

Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Disputes international: none