Overview of TAAF

Profile

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) consist of the sub-Antarctic islands in the Indian Ocean (Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Islands, Amsterdam Island and Saint-Paul Island), the Îles Éparses off Madagascar, and Adélie Land on the Antarctic continent, forming a vast uninhabited territory. There are no permanent residents, only researchers, meteorologists, and military personnel stationed on rotation, with the administrative office located at Port-aux-Français in the Kerguelen Islands. It is an ecologically extremely valuable wildlife breeding ground, with most of it registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2019. Under the Antarctic Treaty, sovereignty claims over Adélie Land are frozen.

Official name

French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres australes et antarctiques françaises, TAAF)

Common name

TAAF

Numeric code

260

Alpha-3 code

ATF

Alpha-2 code

TF

Population

Approximately 140 people (winter period) (2024)

Population density

Less than 0.001 people/km²

Primary languages

French

Major religions

None (no permanent residents)

Internet TLD

.tf

History

After 19th-century whaling and sealing exploration, it was organized as French overseas territory in 1955.

Following the discovery of the Kerguelen Islands in 1772, it was used as a stopover for southern whaling and sealing vessels, but permanent settlement did not progress due to the harsh environment. France annexed the archipelago in 1893, and the 'French Southern and Antarctic Lands' were formally established by law on August 6, 1955. Since the 1960s, facilities such as Port-aux-Français and Alfred Faure Base have been developed, becoming a hub for international joint research. In 2005, the French Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean (Îles Éparses) were incorporated, and in 2019 the French Southern Territories National Nature Reserve was registered as a World Heritage site. Currently, main activities remain scientific observation and environmental conservation, with general tourism strictly restricted.

Geography & climate

Steep volcanic islands composed of granite and basalt, with fjords carved by glaciers, tundra grasslands, and Antarctic ice sheet edges spreading.

Sub-Antarctic oceanic climate (islands) / Polar climate (Adélie Land)

Area

Antarctic & Indian Ocean / 439781 km²

Capital

Port-aux-Français (administrative center)

Largest city

Port-aux-Français

Coastal status

Yes

Politics

Government: Overseas territory (special territory) of the French Republic

Economy

Currency: Euro (EUR)

GDP (nominal):

GDP (PPP):

Language & timezone

Primary languages: French

Time zone: UTC+05:00 (Kerguelen, Crozet, Amsterdam/Saint-Paul), UTC+03:00 (Îles Éparses), UTC+10:00 (Adélie Land, summer time)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

French, Other European researchers, Canadian, Australian

National sports

Football (indoor mini-games), Table tennis, Eskimo roll (kayak training), Cross-country skiing

Flag

Emblem