2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Area

land

7,829 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

total

7,829 sq km

water

0 sq km

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. Geography French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Climate

antarctic

Coastline

1,232 km

Country name

abbreviation

TAAF

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 Administrateur Superieur Michel CHAMPON (since 20 December 2004), 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

French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the US This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

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. Communications French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Executive branch

chief of state

President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Senior Administrator Michel CHAMPON

Flag description

the flag of France is used Economy French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Geographic coordinates

43 00 S, 67 00 E

Geography - note

islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean People French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Internet country code

.tf

Internet hosts

38 (2006) Transportation French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Irrigated land

0 sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

0%

other

100% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Legal system

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Location

southeast of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include 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 (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands)

territorial sea

12 nm

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 2, chemical tanker 27, container 18, liquefied gas 5, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 4

foreign-owned

76 (Belgium 6, Denmark 2, France 36, Germany 2, Hong Kong 2, Japan 4, Norway 12, Saudi Arabia 1, Sweden 9, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2006)

total

77 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,432,833 GRT/5,345,291 DWT

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Natural hazards

Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes

Natural resources

fish, crayfish

Population

no indigenous inhabitants

note

in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2006 est.) Government French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Ports and terminals

none; offshore anchorage only Military French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Terrain

volcanic