Located on the border of Indian and Southern oceans, the French islands of Crozet, Kerguelen, Amsterdam and St. Paul have status of French Overseas Territories. In this page, discover the general characteristics and history, climate, wildlife … by clicking below or in the tabs at the bottom of the page
- Kerguelen
- Crozet
- Saint-Paul et Amsterdam
- Focus on Wildlife and Plants
- The problem of introduced species
- Discover on google earth all shelters in subantarctic islands
Subantarctic Islands characteristics
Located at the margins of the Indian and Southern Oceans, the French islands Crozet, Kerguelen, Amsterdam and Saint-Paul are together designated as an Overseas Territory. They are organized into three districts over which sovereignty is exercised by the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, TAAF).
There is no permanent population in these districts, but each one has a scientific research station. The TAAF administration is responsible for the general management of these bases. Whereas IPEV is in charge of the scientific programmes developed there.
Supply and backup services for the subantarctic stations are assured by the research vessel Marion Dufresne based on Réunion Island. Relief services are run throughout the year, but the Southern summer sees the most intense logistical activity. Other ships also make regular trips to these islands, usually related to fishing operations undertaken in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) centred on the TAAF.
Some data about Islands
| Saint-Paul | Amsterdam | Crozet | Kerguelen | |
| Localization | 38°43’S 77°31’E |
37°50’S 77°31’E |
45°95′ / 46°50’S 50°33′ / 52°58’E |
48°35′ / 49°54’S 68°43′ / 70°35’E |
| Distance from the Reunion Island | 2.880 km | 2.880 km | 2.860 km | 3.490 km |
|
Total area |
7 km² | 58 km² | 342 km² | 7.215 km² |
|
Organization Islands
|
Saint-Paul is 85 km south of Amsterdam | 2 groups of islands (3 + 2) distant 110km | One large island and about 300 islets | |
| Principal Island (area) | id. | id. | Possession Island (150 km²) | The Grande Terre (6.675 km²) |
| Characteristics | Volcanic origin the most isolated islands in the world | Craggy islands Large colonies of birds | French Southern largest archipelago(# Corse) | |
| Highest point | Novara crest (268 m) | Mount Dives (881 m) | Marion Dufresne Peak East Island (1,090 m) |
Mount Ross (1.850 m) |
| Station | / | Martin-de-Viviès | Alfred Faure | Port-aux-Français |