Bouvet Island's Background | Bouvet Islands Background
Background: This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely
covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was
discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the
island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British
flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of
Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In
1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were
designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an
automated meteorological station on the island.