Where is Bouvet Island?

Bouvet Island (/ ˈbuːveɪ / BOO-vay; Norwegian: Bouvetøya [bʉˈvèːœʏɑ]) is an uninhabited island and dependency of Norway. It is a protected nature reserve. It is a subantarctic volcanic island, situated in the South Atlantic Ocean at the southern end of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and is the world's most remote island.

How big is Bouvet Island?

Landing is extremely difficult on the island. It has an area of 23 square miles (59 square km), rises to 3,068 feet (935 metres), and is uninhabited. Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by the French navigator Jean-Baptiste-Charles Bouvet de Lozier (1705–86), for whom it is named.

Is Bouvet a volcano?

All deep-ocean islands are volcanic in nature. And because islands erode pretty fast, they tend to be younger volcanoes which are still active or slightly dormant. Bouvet is a shield volcano in the final stage of its life above water. The caldera shows that there have been significant eruptions in the past!

How far is Bouvet Island from Antarctica?

Bouvet Island is one of the most remote islands in the world. The closest land is Queen Maud Land of Antarctica, which is 1,700 km (1,100 mi) to the south, : 58 and Gough Island, 1,845 km (1,146 mi) to the north.

Is Bouvet Island a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Through an accident of history, related to whaling, Bouvet Island is now a Norwegian possession. You wouldn’t have guessed, although the climate does provide a hint. It is a UNESCO world heritage site, an honour it shares with Mount Etna, the Hawaiian and the Kamchatka’s volcanoes. But you will be hard-pressed to find the visitor centre.

How do you find Bouvet Island?

Find yourself a globe (for younger readers, this is a historical version of google earth without a zoom), and locate Bouvet Island. You will find it where the Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Ocean meet (a magnifying glass may be required). Draw a circle around it (permission from the owner of the globe should be sought).