| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Saint-Pierre on Reunion |
|---|---|
| Form of government | French overseas territory |
| currency | Euro |
| surface | 7676 km² |
| population | no |
| languages | French |
| Religions | no |
| Phone code | 262 |
| Internet TLD | .tf |
| Time zone | UTC 4, UTC 5 |
The French Southern and Antarctic Lands (French: Terres australes et antarctiques françaises or abbreviated TAAF) are a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean.
background
The French southern and Antarctic regions consist of a few islands in the Indian Ocean that were spun off from what was then the colony of Madagascar in the 1950s.
Belong to this overseas territory Kerguelen with an area of over 7,000 km² with the Port-aux-Français research station, the islands to the east Saint Paul and Amsterdam as well as those lying to the west Crozet Islands (different time zone). Apart from scientists and a modest military presence, all of these islands are uninhabited, also because of the harsh and inhumane climate.
Officially heard too Adélieland as a French territorial claim over the Antarctic to this overseas territory, but due to the Antarctic Treaty all territorial claims on the Antarctic are frozen. Since 2007 the Îles Éparses, some scattered islands around Madagascar around, incorporated into the overseas territory (TOM).
getting there
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The archipelago is approached four times a year by a research ship from Réunion. There is the possibility of joining a research group as a tourist. But the fun is not cheap: a high four-digit amount is expected for the crossing, for which you get anything but luxury (including crossing in shared sleeping cabins).
- Official information (French)
mobility
On foot. It is hardly possible to "commute" between the individual islands.
language
French.
activities
The activities are mainly limited to helping in the numerous research stations. You can also go out to sea with a fishing cutter and help out on board.
kitchen
Sheep are raised on the islands to feed the scientists. Nothing else grows on the islands either. So you have to be prepared for monotonous and repetitive meals.
accommodation
As a rule, a cabin is made available to you at one of the research stations.
security
There are no special safety instructions, but you should be aware that you are far from civilization and in an emergency (e.g. if you get lost or slip and injure yourself) it can take a long time to get help. You have to expect crevasses, especially on the glaciers.
Climate and travel time
Oceanic, subarctic to arctic. The seasons are offset by six months compared to the northern hemisphere. In the (southern) summer temperatures hardly above freezing point, in winter cold with snow. Higher areas are glaciated.
