2001 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2001 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Administrative divisions
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Airports
none French Southern and Antarctic Lands Military
Area
total: 7,781 sq km land: 7,781 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Area - comparative
slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware
Background
The Southern Lands consist of two archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen, and two volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna. The Antarctic portion consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. French Southern and Antarctic Lands Geography
Climate
antarctic
Coastline
1,232 km
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
Dependency status
overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by High Commissioner of the Republic Brigitte GIRARDIN (since 25 March 1998), assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Disputes - international
"Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US
Economy - overview
Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. French Southern and Antarctic Lands Communications
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Flag description
the flag of France is used French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economy
Geographic coordinates
43 00 S, 67 00 E
Geography - note
islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean French Southern and Antarctic Lands People
Internet country code
.tf French Southern and Antarctic Lands Transportation
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Legal system
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Location
south of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen 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"
Map references
Antarctic Region
Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine
total: 74 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,024,194 GRT/5,255,703 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 5, chemical tanker 9, container 11, liquefied gas 7, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 12 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: France 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of France French Southern and Antarctic Lands Transnational Issues Top of Page
Natural hazards
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes
Natural resources
fish, crayfish
Population
no indigenous inhabitants (July 2001 est.) note: in 1997, there were about 100 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) French Southern and Antarctic Lands Government
Ports and harbors
none; offshore anchorage only
Terrain
volcanic
Waterways
none