2003 Edition

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 (2002) Military French Southern and Antarctic Lands

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

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 Francois GARDE (since 24 May 2000), 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 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

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

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 Transportation French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Irrigated land

0 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

0%

other

100% (1998 est.)

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 only

territorial sea

12 NM

Merchant marine

convenience

Belgium 2, France 62, Japan 3, Monaco 1, Norway 5, Sweden 1 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

bulk 4, cargo 4, chemical tanker 14, container 15, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 17, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier 2

total

73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,596,194 GRT/5,924,475 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 (July 2002 est.)

note

in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2003 est.) Government French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Ports and harbors

none; offshore anchorage only

Terrain

volcanic

Waterways

none