# Geognos Data Export: Antarctica
Generated: 2026-02-14T06:35:33.925Z

## Antarctica
**Slug:** antarctica
**Region:** Antarctica
**Flag:** 🇦🇶
**Codes:** cek: ay, iso2: AQ, iso3: ATA, iso_num: 010, genc: ATA, stanag: ATA, internet: .aq, comment: ISO defines as the territory south of 60 degrees south latitude

### Introduction

**Background:**
Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was confirmed in the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. In 1840, it was finally established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not merely a group of islands or an area of ocean. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century, but the area saw little human activity. Following World War II, however, the continent experienced an upsurge in scientific research. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, with two maintaining the basis for a claim, but most countries do not recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for countries' activities on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor recognizes existing territorial claims; it was signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961. Also relevant to Antarctic governance are the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

### Geography

**Location:**
continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle

**Geographic coordinates:**
90 00 S, 0 00 E

**Map references:**
Antarctic Region

**Area:**
total : 14.2 million sq km
land: 14.2 million sq km (285,000 sq km ice-free, 13.915 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)
note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the continent of Europe

**Area - comparative:**
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US

**Land boundaries:**
note: see entry on Disputes - international

**Coastline:**
17,968 km

**Maritime claims:**
Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 22 of 29 Antarctic Treaty consultative parties have made no claims to Antarctic territory, although Russia and the United States have reserved the right to do so, and no country can make a new claim

**Climate:**
the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth; severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing; summers characterized by continuous daylight, while winters bring continuous darkness; persistent high pressure over the interior brings dry, subsiding air that results in very little cloud cover

**Terrain:**
about 99% thick continental ice sheet and 1% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 m; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 m; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent

**Elevation:**
highest point: Vinson Massif 4,892 m
lowest point: Denman Glacier more than -3,500 m (-11,500 ft) below sea level
mean elevation: 2,300 m
note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Denman Glacier; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater

**Natural resources:**
iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small noncommercial quantities; mineral exploitation except for scientific research is banned by the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty; krill, icefish, toothfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries, which are managed through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)

**Land use:**
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)

**Natural hazards:**
katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf
volcanism: volcanic activity on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak

**Geography - note:**
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during the summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the equator in an equivalent period
mostly uninhabitable, 99% of the land area is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, the largest single mass of ice on Earth; it covers an area of 14 million sq km (5.4 million sq mi) and contains 26.5 million cu km (6.4 million cu mi) of ice (almost 62% of the world's fresh water)

### People and Society

**Population:**
no permanent inhabitants, but staff is present at year-round and summer-only research stations
note: 56 countries have signed the 1959 Antarctic Treaty; 30 of those operate a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands; the population varies from approximately 5,000 in summer to 1,100 in winter, with about 1,000 support personnel on ships nearby
as of 2024, peak summer (December-February) maximum capacity in scientific stations - 4,713 total; Argentina 425, Australia 238, Belarus 15, Belgium 55, Brazil 64, Bulgaria 25, Chile 375, China 164, Czechia 32, Ecuador 35, Finland 16, France 136, France and Italy jointly 70, Germany 60, India 72, Italy 150, Japan 130, South Korea 158, New Zealand 85, Norway 60, Peru 30, Poland 41, Russia 211, South Africa 80, Spain 79, Sweden 16, Ukraine 15, United Kingdom 315, United States 1,495 , Uruguay 66 (2024)
winter (June-August) maximum capacity in scientific stations - 1,056 total; Argentina 221, Australia 52, Brazil 15, Chile 114, China 32, France 24, France and Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 48, Japan 40, Netherlands 10, South Korea 25, NZ 11, Norway 7, Poland 16, Russia 125, South Africa 15, Ukraine 12, UK 44, US 215, Uruguay 8 (2024)

### Environment

**Environmental issues:**
size of ozone hole over continent; ice loss

**Climate:**
the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth; severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing; summers characterized by continuous daylight, while winters bring continuous darkness; persistent high pressure over the interior brings dry, subsiding air that results in very little cloud cover

**Land use:**
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)

**Carbon dioxide emissions:**
15,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 13,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

### Government

**Country name:**
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Antarctica
etymology: name derived from two Greek words, anti and arktikos, meaning "opposite to the Arctic" or "opposite to the north"

**Government type:**
the Antarctic Treaty and its follow-on agreements govern the use of Antarctica, ensuring it is used only for peaceful purposes and scientific research; signed in 1959 and in force since 1961, the original Treaty bans military activity, weapons testing, and nuclear waste disposal, while allowing military personnel to assist with research or other peaceful efforts; it promotes international cooperation in science, guarantees the free exchange of research, and freezes territorial claims; the Treaty covers all land and ice south of 60° south latitude, and allows Treaty nations to inspect any station or facility
decisions are made by consensus at annual meetings, and member countries implement these decisions through their national laws (see “Legal system”); additional agreements have strengthened the Treaty system, including conventions to protect seals (1972) and other marine life (1980), as well as an environmental protocol (1991, took effect in 1998); the protocol bans mining and includes strict rules on environmental impact, waste, pollution, wildlife, and protected areas; as of December 2024, there are 58 member nations: 29 consultative members, including the 7 claimant countries (Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK), and 29 non-consultative members; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, supports the system

**Legal system:**
Antarctica is administered through annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings that include member nations, observer groups, and experts; decisions are made by consensus and enforced by each country through its own laws, applying to their citizens and operations in the region south of 60° south latitude, including all ice shelves and islands; in the US, the Antarctic Conservation Act prohibits actions like harming native wildlife, introducing non-native species, polluting, or entering protected areas without authorization; the US National Science Foundation and Department of Justice enforce these rules; US expeditions must also notify the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs at the US Department of State, which informs other Treaty nations, as required under Public Law 95-541

**Flag:**
description: two horizontal bands of navy and white, with a stylized white peak at the center; the peak casts a navy shadow in the shape of a compass arrow pointed south
meaning: the bands represent the long days and nights at Antarctica's extreme latitude; the compass arrow is an homage to the continent's legacy of exploration; the peak and the arrow together create a diamond, symbolizing the hope that Antarctica will continue to be a center of peace, discovery, and cooperation
history: the flag is unofficial; created in 2018, the True South flag has quickly become popular for its simple yet elegant design and has been used by national Antarctic programs, Antarctic nonprofits, and expedition teams

### Energy

**Coal:**
imports: 2,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

**Petroleum:**
refined petroleum consumption: 79 bbl/day (2023 est.)

### Communications

**Internet country code:**
.aq

**Internet users:**
percent of population: 100% (2021 est.)

### Transportation

**Airports:**
31 (2025)

**Heliports:**
5 (2025)

**Ports:**
total ports: 8 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 7
ports with oil terminals: 0
key ports: Admiralty Bay, Andersen Harbor, Ellefsen Harbor, McMurdo Station, Melchior Harbor, Port Foster, Port Lockroy, Scotia Bay

**Transportation - note:**
US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only; all ships are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7 of the Antarctic Treaty; ships must comply with relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures under the Antarctic Treaty (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation; membership in HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area

### Military and Security

**Military - note:**
the Antarctic Treaty of 1961 prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes

---

## Bouvet Island
**Slug:** bouvet-island
**Region:** Antarctica
**Flag:** 🇧🇻
**Codes:** cek: bv, iso2: BV, iso3: BVT, iso_num: 074, genc: BVT, stanag: BVT, internet: .bv

### Introduction

**Background:**
This uninhabited volcanic island in Antarctica is almost entirely covered by glaciers, making it difficult to approach. Bouvet Island is recognized as the most remote island on Earth because it is furthest from any other point of land (1,639 km from Antarctica). The island was named after the French naval officer who discovered it in 1739, although no country laid claim to it 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 as 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 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.

### 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

**Map references:**
Antarctic Region

**Area:**
total : 49 sq km
land: 49 sq km
water: 0 sq km

**Area - comparative:**
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, D.C.

**Land boundaries:**
total: 0 km

**Coastline:**
29.6 km

**Maritime claims:**
territorial sea: 4 nm

**Climate:**
antarctic

**Terrain:**
volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible

**Elevation:**
highest point: Olavtoppen (Olav Peak) 780 m
lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m

**Natural resources:**
none

**Land use:**
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 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

### People and Society

**Population:**
total: uninhabited
note: a small, seasonal research station is located in the northwest corner of Bouvet Island

### Environment

**Climate:**
antarctic

**Land use:**
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)

### Government

**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

**Dependency status:**
territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police

**Legal system:**
the laws of Norway apply

**Flag:**
the flag of Norway is used

### Communications

**Internet country code:**
.bv

### Military and Security

**Military - note:**
defense is the responsibility of Norway

---

## French Southern and Antarctic Lands
**Slug:** french-southern-and-antarctic-lands
**Region:** Antarctica
**Flag:** 🇹🇫
**Codes:** cek: fs, iso2: TF, iso3: ATF, iso_num: 260, genc: ATF, stanag: ATF, internet: .tf, comment: GENC does not include the French-claimed portion of Antarctica (Terre Adelie)

### Introduction

**Background:**
In 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, the Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.
Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use.
Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived.
Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the East), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession, the largest island of the Crozets. Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955.
Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, consists of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais.
Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency.
Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.
Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.
Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.
Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th-century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.
Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.

### Geography

**Location:**
southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"

**Geographic coordinates:**
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E
Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E
Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E

**Map references:**
Antarctic Region
Africa

**Area:**
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km
note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

**Area - comparative:**
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, D.C.
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, D.C.
Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C.
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

**Land boundaries:**
total: 0 km

**Coastline:**
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):
Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km

**Maritime claims:**
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands); Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

**Climate:**
Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity
Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy
Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy
Iles Eparses: tropical

**Terrain:**
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs
Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands
Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with peninsulas stretching off its coasts
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount

**Elevation:**
highest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest points throughout the French Southern and Antarctic Lands: Crête de la Novara on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 284 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles Crozet 1090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1850 m; unnamed location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m; 24 unnamed location on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 6 m; unnamed location on Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) 7 m

**Natural resources:**
fish, crayfish, note, Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have guano, phosphates, and coconuts
note: in the 1950's and 1960's, several species of trout were introduced to Iles Kerguelen of which two, brown trout and brook trout, survived to establish wild populations; reindeer were also introduced to Iles Kerguelen in 1956 as a source of fresh meat for whaling crews -- the herd today, one of two in the Southern Hemisphere, is estimated to number around 4,000

**Natural hazards:**
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Éparses are subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard because it is under water for three hours before and after high tide
volcanism: Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m), which has erupted many times in recent years, is one of the world's most active volcanoes; although rare, eruptions outside the volcano's caldera could threaten nearby cities

**Geography - note:**
islands are widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean
Bassas da India (Iles Éparses): atoll is a circular reef on top of a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Éparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles
Glorioso Island (Iles Éparses): an extensive reef system surrounds the island
Tromelin Island (Iles Éparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)

### People and Society

**Population:**
total: no permanent inhabitants
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): uninhabited but has a meteorological station
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): uninhabited but is visited by fishermen and researchers
Iles Crozet: uninhabited except for staff of the Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession
Iles Kerguelen: researchers are located at the main base at Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by researchers
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, visited by researchers

### Environment

**Environmental issues:**
problems from introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet; overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen

**Climate:**
Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity
Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy
Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy
Iles Eparses: tropical

### Government

**Country name:**
conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form: Terres australes et antarctiques françaises
local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises
abbreviation: TAAF
etymology: self-descriptive name specifying the territories' affiliation and location in the Southern Hemisphere

**Dependency status:**
overseas territory of France since 1955

**Administrative divisions:**
no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but the 5 administrative districts are Iles Crozet, Iles Éparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam, and "Adelie Land," a claim in Antarctica that the US does not recognize

**Legal system:**
the laws of France apply

**Citizenship:**
see France

**Executive branch:**
chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Florence JEANBLANC-RISLER (since 5 October 2022)

**Diplomatic representation in the US:**
none (overseas territory of France)

**Diplomatic representation from the US:**
embassy: none (overseas territory of France)

**International organization participation:**
UPU

**Flag:**
the flag of France is used

**National anthem(s):**
title: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
history: official anthem, as a French territory

### Economy

**Economic overview:**
very small, fishing-based, domestic economic activity; military base servicing

**Exports - partners:**
France 47%, USA 34%, Poland 9%, Singapore 3%, Saudi Arabia 2% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

**Exports - commodities:**
fish (2023)
note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000

**Imports - partners:**
France 41%, Ireland 15%, Germany 11%, Poland 7%, Netherlands 7% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

**Imports - commodities:**
scented mixtures, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, surveying equipment, fish, refined petroleum (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

### Communications

**Internet country code:**
.tf

### Transportation

**Airports:**
4 (2025)

**Heliports:**
3 (2025)

**Merchant marine:**
total: 2 (2023)
by type: other 2

### Military and Security

**Military - note:**
defense is the responsibility of France; the French military maintains a Foreign Legion detachment on Mayotte to maintain France’s presence in the region and support French forces operating in the southern zone of the Indian Ocean and the east coast of Africa; the detachment regularly deploys to the outlying Glorioso Islands

---

## Heard Island and McDonald Islands
**Slug:** heard-island-and-mcdonald-islands
**Region:** Antarctica
**Flag:** 🇭🇲
**Codes:** cek: hm, iso2: HM, iso3: HMD, iso_num: 334, genc: HMD, stanag: HMD, internet: .hm

### Introduction

**Background:**
American sailor John HEARD discovered Heard Island in 1853 while fellow American William MCDONALD discovered the McDonald Islands the following year. Starting in 1855, sealers lived on the islands and harvested elephant seal oil; by the time the practice was ended in 1877, most of the islands’ seals were killed. The UK formally claimed the islands in 1910, and Australian explorer Douglas MAWSON visited Heard Island in 1929. In 1947, the UK transferred the islands to Australia for its Antarctica research, but Australia closed the research station on Heard Island in 1954 when it opened a new research station on the Antarctic continent. McDonald Island has been an active volcano since it emerged from dormancy in 1992, and the island doubled in size after an eruption in 1996. In 1997, the islands were named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Populated by a large number of bird species, seals, and penguins, the islands are primarily used for research, with limited fishing permitted in the surrounding waters.

### Geography

**Location:**
islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica

**Geographic coordinates:**
53 06 S, 72 31 E

**Map references:**
Antarctic Region

**Area:**
total : 412 sq km
land: 412 sq km
water: 0 sq km

**Area - comparative:**
slightly more than two times the size of Washington, D.C.

**Land boundaries:**
total: 0 km

**Coastline:**
101.9 km

**Maritime claims:**
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

**Climate:**
antarctic

**Terrain:**
Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky

**Elevation:**
highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

**Natural resources:**
fish

**Land use:**
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)

**Natural hazards:**
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island

**Geography - note:**
Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain; at 2,745 m (9,006 ft), Mawson is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in mainland Australia), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory; in 1992, McDonald Island, the other active volcano, broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since

### People and Society

**Population:**
total: uninhabited
note: limited scientific research and expeditions

### Environment

**Climate:**
antarctic

**Land use:**
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
other: 100% (2018 est.)

### Government

**Country name:**
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands
abbreviation: HIMI
etymology: named after US Captain John HEARD, who sighted the island on 25 November 1853, and US Captain William McDONALD, who discovered the islands on 4 January 1854

**Dependency status:**
territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment (Australian Antarctic Division)

**Legal system:**
the laws of Australia apply

**Diplomatic representation in the US:**
none (territory of Australia)

**Diplomatic representation from the US:**
embassy: none (territory of Australia)

**Flag:**
the flag of Australia is used

**National heritage:**
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural); note - excerpted from the Australia entry
selected World Heritage Site locales: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

### Communications

**Internet country code:**
.hm

### Transportation

**Heliports:**
2 (2025)

### Military and Security

**Military - note:**
defense is the responsibility of Australia

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