Bouvet island

Bouvet Island is an uninhabited subantarctic high island and dependency of Norway located in the South Atlantic Ocean at the southern end of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, thus making it the most remote island in the world.

Geography

Bouvet Island is located at 54°25.8′S 3°22.8′E, covering an area of 49 square kilometers. The island is of volcanic origin, characterized by a high plateau and a number of smaller peaks. The highest point on the island is called Olavtoppen, which stands at 780 meters above sea level. The island is almost entirely covered by a glacier, which has a thickness of up to 150 meters.

History

The island was first spotted on 1 January 1739 by Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier, who was on a mission for the French East India Company. However, due to the harsh weather conditions and the inaccessibility of the island, it was not until 1825 that the island was accurately charted by British whaler Captain George Norris.

Flora and Fauna

Despite its harsh climate, Bouvet Island is home to a variety of wildlife. The island is an important breeding ground for seabirds, particularly the Antarctic petrel. Seals, including the Antarctic fur seal and the southern elephant seal, are also common on the island.

Administration

Bouvet Island has been a dependency of Norway since 1930. It is not incorporated into any Norwegian county, but is administered by the Norwegian Polar Institute, a division of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment.

See also

• List of Antarctic and subantarctic islands
• List of islands of Norway

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