Area55 km²
Introduction
Background
In 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, the 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: 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.
Ile Saint Paul: 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.
Iles Crozet: 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.
Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, consists 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.
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.
Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.
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.
Glorioso Islands: 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. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.
Juan de Nova Island: 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. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.
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.
Geography
Area
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km
note: excludes the claim of "Adelie Land" covering approximately 500,000 sq km in Antarctica, which the US does not acknowledge
Climate
Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: characterized by an oceanic climate with consistent westerly winds and high humidity
Iles Crozet: exhibits windy, cold, wet, and cloudy conditions
Iles Kerguelen: features an oceanic climate, cold temperatures, overcast skies, and strong winds
Iles Eparses: have a tropical climate
Terrain
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic landform with steep coastal cliffs; the volcano's central area is dominated by a broad plateau
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): shaped like a triangle, this island is the summit of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on its eastern side; it hosts active thermal springs
Iles Crozet: a sizable archipelago emerging from the Crozet Plateau, divided into two groups of islands
Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the expansive Ile Kerguelen consists of towering mountains, hills, valleys, and flatlands with peninsulas extending from its coasts
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): an atoll, submerged at high tide; features a shallow lagoon (15 m)
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: characterized by low, flat, sandy terrain
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, and sandy; likely a volcanic seamount
Location
situated southeast and east of Africa, the islands are located in the southern Indian Ocean, some in proximity to Madagascar while others are roughly equidistant from Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - the French Southern and Antarctic Lands encompass Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, in addition to the French-claimed region of Antarctica known as "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize this claim
Coastline
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):
Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m
Map references
Antarctic Region
Africa
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands); Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Natural hazards
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are dormant volcanoes; the Iles Éparses experience occasional cyclones; Bassas da India poses a maritime danger due to being submerged for three hours before and after high tide
volcanism: Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m), known for its frequent eruptions in recent years, ranks among the world's most active volcanoes; while eruptions outside the caldera are rare, they could pose a threat to nearby urban areas
Geography - note
the islands are dispersed across remote areas in the southern Indian Ocean
Bassas da India (Iles Éparses): the atoll is a circular reef situated atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Éparses): serve as wildlife sanctuaries for seabirds and sea turtles
Glorioso Island (Iles Éparses): surrounded by a vast reef system
Tromelin Island (Iles Éparses): holds climatological significance for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; a wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and tortoises
Natural resources
includes fish, crayfish; additionally, Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) contain guano, phosphates, and coconuts
Area - comparative
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): smaller than half of Washington, D.C.
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): over 10 times larger than the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Iles Crozet: roughly double the size of Washington, D.C.
Iles Kerguelen: slightly bigger than Delaware
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area approximately one-third that of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): around one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C.
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): nearly eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): roughly seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): approximately 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E
Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E
Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E
People & Society
Population
total
no permanent inhabitants
Environment
Climate
Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: characterized by an oceanic climate with consistent westerly winds and elevated humidity
Iles Crozet: marked by windy, chilly, damp, and overcast conditions
Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cool, frequently cloudy, and breezy
Iles Eparses: exhibiting a tropical climate
Environmental issues
issues arising from the introduction of non-native species on Iles Crozet; overexploitation of the Patagonian toothfish in the waters surrounding Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen
Government
Flag
the national flag of France is utilized
Citizenship
see France
Country name
etymology
self-descriptive name specifying the territories' affiliation and location in the Southern Hemisphere
abbreviation
TAAF
local long form
Terres australes et antarctiques françaises
local short form
Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises
conventional long form
Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
conventional short form
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Legal system
the legislation of France is in effect
Executive branch
chief of state
President Emmanuel MACRON (in office since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Florence JEANBLANC-RISLER (in position since 5 October 2022)
Dependency status
an overseas territory of France since 1955
National anthem(s)
title
"La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
history
official anthem, as a French territory
lyrics/music
Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
Administrative divisions
lacking first-order administrative divisions as characterized by the US government, but comprising five administrative districts: Iles Crozet, Iles Éparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam, and 'Adelie Land,' a claim in Antarctica which is not recognized by the US
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (overseas territory of France)
International organization participation
UPU
Economy
Economic overview
minimal, fishing-oriented, local economic operations; military installation support
Exports - partners
France 47%, USA 34%, Poland 9%, Singapore 3%, Saudi Arabia 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
France 41%, Ireland 15%, Germany 11%, Poland 7%, Netherlands 7% (2023)
Exports - commodities
fish (2023)
Imports - commodities
scented blends, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, surveying instruments, fish, refined petroleum (2023)
Communications
Internet country code
.tf
Transportation
Airports
4 (2025)
Heliports
3 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
2 (2023)
by type
other 2
Military & Security
Military - note
The responsibility for defense lies with France; the French Armed Forces have a Foreign Legion unit stationed in Mayotte to ensure France's presence in the area and to assist French military operations in the southern Indian Ocean and along the eastern coast of Africa; this unit frequently conducts deployments to the remote Glorioso Islands.
