French Southern and Antarctic Lands

French Southern and Antarctic Lands, overseas territory of France (since 1955), comprising the Kerguelen and Crozet archipelagoes (see Kerguelen Islands) and the islands of Saint-Paul and Amsterdam, all located in the southern Indian Ocean, and Adélie Coast (or Adélie Land), a narrow segment of the Antarctic continent.

The Crozet Islands ( sq km/ sq mi) is a group of 20 small mountainous islands. Little plant life occurs; animal life consists mainly of elephant seals and various species of birds. Amsterdam ( sq km/ sq mi) and Saint Paul (7 sq km/2.70 sq mi) are both islands of volcanic origin, and the center of Saint Paul is occupied by a large crater with hot springs. The climate is extremely humid and windy, but temperate. Vegetation is relatively abundant. Adélie Coast ( sq km/ sq mi) lies on the Antarctic continent south of latitude 66° South. The terrain consists of a glacier-covered plateau.

The only inhabitants of the territory are personnel of the permanent scientific stations located on Kerguelen, the Crozets, Amsterdam, and Adélie Coast. The territory is governed by an administrator and a consultative council, both appointed by the French government; the council meets in Paris twice a year.

Amsterdam and Saint Paul islands were sighted in 1522 by an expedition begun by Ferdinand Magellan. Kerguelen and the Crozets were discovered in 1772. An expedition under Captain Jules Dumont d'Urville discovered Adélie Coast in 1840. Population (1989 estimate) 210.