- Kerguelen Islands
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Kerguelen Islands [kʉr′gə lən]group of French islands in the S Indian Ocean, consisting of one large island & over 200 small ones: 2,786 sq mi (7,216 sq km)
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Archipelago, southern Indian Ocean.It consists of the island of Kerguelen (also called Desolation Island) and about 300 islets, which together cover about 2,400 sq mi (6,200 sq km). Kerguelen Island, about 100 mi (160 km) long, has active glaciers and peaks up to 6,445 ft (1,965 m) high. Discovered in 1772 by the French navigator Yves-Joseph de Kerguélen-Trémarec, the archipelago was annexed to France in 1893 and became part of the French Southern and Antarctic Territories in 1955. Port-aux-Français is a scientific base on the main island.* * *
▪ islands, Indian Oceanarchipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. Administratively a part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises), it consists of the island of Kerguelen (also known as Desolation Island) and nearly 300 islets, which together cover about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square km). Heavily glaciated Kerguelen Island, about 100 miles (160 km) in length, has active glaciers and peaks up to 6,445 feet (1,965 m) above sea level.Discovered in 1772 by the French navigator Yves-Joseph de Kerguélen-Trémarec and later explored by the British explorer Captain James Cook (Cook, James), the archipelago was often frequented by whalers and seal hunters. In 1950 a permanent base and scientific centre, Port-aux-Français, was established on the main island. Pop. (1987 est.) Port-aux-Français, 75.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
