French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Published: December 23, 2011, 12:00 am

Updated: February 11, 2012, 2:56 pm

Source: CIA World factbook

Topics:

Geography (main)

The Kerguelen Islands in the South Indian Ocean. Source. NASA

Countries and Regions of the World Collection The French Southern and Antarctic Lands are islands widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean (and one claimed part of Antarctica). The are located southeast and east of Africa, in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascarand others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia (Antarctica).

French Southern and Antarctic Lands include:

• Ile Amsterdam (New Amsterdam, Amsterdam Island);
• Ile Saint Paul (St. Paul Island);
• Iles Crozet (Crozet Islands);
• Iles Kerguelen (Kerguelen Islands);
• Bassas da India;
• Europa Island;
• Glorioso Islands (Juan de Nova Island);
• 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"

In February 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, 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 (New Amsterdam, Amsterdam Island)

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. There are no indigenous inhabitants.

Geographic Coodinates: 37 50 S, 77 32 E

Area: 55 sq km; land

Coastline: 28 km

Climate: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Terrain: a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau. The highest point is Mont de la Dives (867 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish,

Land Use: 100% trees, grasses, ferns, and moss

Natural Hazard: Ile Amsterdam is an inactive volcano

Source: Wikipedia.

Ile Saint Paul (St. Paul Island)

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. It is uninhabited but is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research cabin for short stays. Ile Saint-Paul is an inactive volcano

Geographic Coodinates: 38 72 S, 77 53 E

Area: 7 sq km

Coastline:

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive

Climate: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Terrain:the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs. The highest point is an unnamed location(272 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish

Land Use: 100% grass, ferns, and moss

Source: Wikipedia

Iles Crozet (Crozet Islands)

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. The islands are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession.

Geographic Coodinates: 46 25 S, 51 00 E

Area: 352 sq km

Coastline:

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy

Terrain: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands.The highest point is Pic Marion-Dufresne (1,090 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish

Land Use: 100% tossock grass, heath, and fern

Environmental issues:

• introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem
• overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet

Source: Wikipedia.

Iles Kerguelen (Kerguelen Islands)

This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up 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.

Geographic Coodinates: 49 15 S, 69 35 E

Area: 7,215 sq km

Coastline: 2,800 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy

Terrain:the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts. The highest point is Mont Ross (1,850 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish

Land Use: 100% tossock grass and Kerguelen cabbage

Environmental issues: overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet

Source: Wikipedia

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.

Geographic Coodinates:

Area: claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US or most other countrires

Source: Lokal Profil/Wikipedia

Bassas da India (Basse de Judie)

A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. The atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano. It is uninhabitable. Bassas da India is claimed by Madagascar.

Geographic Coodinates: 21 30 S, 39 50 E

Area: 80 sq km (Note: land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km lagoon)

Coastline: 35.2 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon. The highest point is an unnamed location (2.4 m).

Land Use: 100% rock, coral reef, and sand

Natural Hazard: subject to periodic cyclones. Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs

Source: Eric Gaba/Wikipedia

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. Europa Island is claimed by Madagascar.

Geographic Coodinates: E 22 20 S, 40 22

Area: 28 sq km

Coastline: 22.2 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low, flat, and sandy. The highest point is an unnamed location (24 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish

Land Use: 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands

Europa Island is a wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles

Source: NASA

Glorioso Islands (Glorieuses)

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. The islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse. The Glorioso Islands are claimed by Madagascar.The vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, in the Mozambique Channel, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claims of the Comoros and France (Glorioso Islands).

Geographic Coodinates: 11 30 S, 47 20 E

Area: 5 sq km

Coastline: 35.2 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low, flat, and sandy. The highest point is an unnamed location (12 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish, guano, phosphates, and coconuts

Land Use: 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms

Natural Hazard: subject to periodic cyclones

1976 Map. Source: CIA Map

Juan de Nova Island (Saint-Christophe)

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. Juan de Nova Island is a wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.

Geographic Coodinates: 17 03 S, 42 45 E

Area: 4.4 sq km

Coastline: 24.1 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low, flat, and sandy. The highest point is an unnamed location (10 m).

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish

Land Use: 90% forest, 10% other

Natural Hazard: subject to periodic cyclones

Source: Eric Gaba/Wikipedia

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. Tromelin Island is climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean. It is uninhabited, except for visits by scientists.

Geographic Coodinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E

Area: 1 sq km

Coastline: 3.7 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate: tropical

Terrain: low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount. The highest point is an unnamed location (7 m)

Natural Resources: fish, crayfish, guano, phosphates, and coconuts

Land Use: 100% grasses and scattered brush (2005)

Natural Hazard: subject to periodic cyclones

1976 Map. Source: CIA Map

Citation

Agency, C. (2012). French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Retrieved from http://editors.eol.org/eoearth/wiki/French_Southern_and_Antarctic_Lands