View source for French Southern and Antarctic Lands

{{Short description|Overseas territory of France}}
{{About|the French overseas territory|the former French colony in Brazil|France Antarctique|Native American nonprofit organization|Tribal Alliance Against Frauds}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox dependency
| name                     = French Southern and Antarctic Lands
| native_name              = {{nobold|{{native name|fr|Terres australes et antarctiques françaises}}}}
| settlement_type          = [[Overseas territory (France)|Overseas territory]]
| image_flag               = Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.svg
| flag_size                = 130
| flag_link                = Flag of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
| image_seal               = Armoiries Terres australes et antarctiques françaises.svg
| seal_size                = 85
| seal_type                = {{illm|Coat of arms of French Southern and Antarctic Lands|fr|Armoiries des Terres australes et antarctiques françaises|lt=Coat of arms}}
| seal_link                = 
| motto                    = {{native phrase|fr|"[[Liberté, égalité, fraternité]]"|italics=off}} ({{Langx|en|"Liberty, equality, fraternity"}})
| anthem                   = {{lang|fr|[[La Marseillaise]]}}<br/>{{Small|("The Marseillaise")}}<br/>{{Center|[[File:La Marseillaise.ogg]]}}
| image_map                = French Southern and Antarctic Lands in its region.svg
| map_alt                  = Location of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands in the Indian Ocean
| map_caption              = {{map caption
 | location_color           = circled in red
 | region                   = the [[Indian Ocean]]
 | region_color             = none
 }}
| mapsize                  = 290px
| subdivision_type         = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name         = {{Flag|France}}
| established_title2       = Territorial status
| established_date2        = 6 August 1955<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jo_pdf.do?id=JORFTEXT000000879815&pageCourante=07979|title=Loi n° 55-1052 du 6 août 1955 conférant l'autonomie administrative et financière aux Terres australes et antarctiques françaises|website=legifrance.gouv.fr|last=Government of the French Republic|date=6 August 1955|language=fr|access-date= 19 October 2019}}</ref>
| official_languages       = [[French language|French]]
| capital                  = [[Saint-Pierre, Réunion|Saint Pierre]], [[Réunion]]<br />{{small|(headquarters, not geographically assigned)}}
| coordinates              = {{Coord|43|00|S|67|00|E|region:FR-TF_source:geonames|display=inline,title}}<ref>[{{geonameslink|gnid=1546748|name=french-southern-and-antarctic-lands}} French Southern and Antarctic Lands] in [{{geonamesabout}} Geonames.org (cc-by)]</ref>
| largest_settlement_type  = settlement
| largest_settlement       = [[Port-aux-Français]]
| government_type          = 
| leader_title1            = [[President of France|President of the French Republic]]
| leader_name1             = [[Emmanuel Macron]]
| leader_title2            = [[Prefect (France)|Prefect]], Administrator Superior
| leader_name2             = [[Florence Jeanblanc-Risler]]
| leader_title3            = Secretary General
| leader_name3             = [[Amélie Puccinelli]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taaf.fr/actualite/nomination-de-madame-amelie-puccinelli-en-tant-que-secretaire-generale-des-terres-australes-et-antarctiques-francaises/ | title=Nomination de Madame Amélie Puccinelli en Tant Que Secrétaire Générale des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises }}</ref>
| legislature              = Advisory Council of the TAAF
| area_km2                 = 439,666.4
| population_census        = 
| population_census_year   = 
| population_estimate      = Officially 400~800 permanent scientists and military personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taaf.fr/collectivites/presentation-des-territoires/|title=Présentation des territoires|website=taaf.fr|last=TAAF Collectivity|language=fr|access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref><br />No known permanent population<ref name="FactbookFS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/french-southern-and-antarctic-lands/|title=Antarctica :: French Southern and Antarctic Lands|website=[[The World Factbook|CIA.gov/Library/Publications/The-World-Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]]|date=20 May 2020|access-date=10 October 2018|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| population_estimate_rank = 
| population_estimate_year = 
| population_density_km2   = 
| population_density_sq_mi = <!-- Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]] -->
| population_density_rank  = 
| GDP_PPP                  = 
| GDP_PPP_rank             = 
| GDP_PPP_year             = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita       = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = 
| GDP_nominal              = 
| GDP_nominal_year         = 
| GDP_nominal_rank         = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita   = 
| HDI_year                 = 
| HDI_change               = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                      = <!--number only-->
| currency                 = [[Euro]] (€)
| currency_code            = EUR
| timezone                 = 
| utc_offset_list          = {{hlist|[[UTC+04:00]]|[[UTC+05:00]]|[[UTC+10:00]]}}
| drives_on                = right
| calling_code             = 
| iso_code                 = {{hlist|[[ISO 3166-2:TF|TF]]|[[ISO 3166-2:FR|FR-TF]]}}
| cctld                    = [[.tf]]
| website                  = {{Official URL}}
|demonym=[[French people|French]]
}}

The '''French Southern and Antarctic Lands'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://publications.europa.eu/code/en/en-5000500.htm |title=List of countries, territories and currencies |access-date=2008-06-29 |work=Interinstitutional style guide |publisher=Publications Office |date=2008-06-12}}</ref> ({{langx|fr|Terres australes et antarctiques françaises}}, '''TAAF''') is an [[overseas territory (France)|overseas territory]] ({{langx|fr|Territoire d'outre-mer}} or {{lang|fr|TOM}}) of [[France]].

It consists of:

* [[Adélie Land]] ({{lang|fr|Terre Adélie}}), the French claim on the continent of [[Antarctica]].
* [[Crozet Islands]] ({{lang|fr|Îles Crozet}}), a group in the southern Indian Ocean, south of Madagascar.
* [[Kerguelen Islands]] ({{lang|fr|Archipel des Kerguelen}}), a group of [[volcanic island]]s in the southern [[Indian Ocean]], southeast of [[Africa]] and southwest of [[Australia (continent)|Australia]].
* [[Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands]] ({{lang|fr|Îles Saint Paul et Amsterdam}}), a group to the north of the Kerguelen Islands.
* [[Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean|Scattered Islands]] ({{lang|fr|Îles Éparses}}), a dispersed group of islands around the coast of [[Madagascar]].

The territory is sometimes referred to as the '''French Southern Lands''' ({{langx|fr|Terres australes françaises}}) or the '''French Southern Territories''',<ref name="ISOTF">{{cite web|url=https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:code:3166:TF|title=French Southern Territories|website=[[iso.org|ISO.org]]|publisher=[[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]]|date=26 November 2018|access-date=12 July 2020|df=dmy-all}}</ref> usually to emphasize non-recognition of French [[sovereignty]] over [[Adélie Land]] as part of the [[Antarctic Treaty System]].<ref name="FactbookFS"/>

The entire territory has no known permanently settled inhabitants. Approximately 150 (in the winter) to 310 (in the summer) people are usually present in the French Southern and Antarctic Lands at any time, but they are mainly made up of military personnel, officials, scientific researchers and support staff.<ref>"The TAAF do not have any permanent population." {{cite web |url=http://www.taaf.fr/The-French-Southern-and-Antarctic-Lands |title=The French Southern and Antarctic Lands |publisher=French Southern and Antarctic Lands administration |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526174543/http://www.taaf.fr/The-French-Southern-and-Antarctic-Lands |archive-date=26 May 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 5 July 2019, the [[Crozet Islands]], the [[Kerguelen Islands]], and the [[Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands]] were inscribed as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] as the "French Austral Lands and Seas" because of their pristine wilderness, biodiversity, and enormous bird colonies.<ref name=whcunesco>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2002/|title=Five sites inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List|website=UNESCO|date=5 July 2019}}</ref>

Although the region's capital is based in [[Réunion]], this island is a member of the [[overseas departments and regions of France]], and should not be confused with the overseas territories.

== History ==
The French Southern and Antarctic Lands are an overseas territory of France that consist of the following:

* [[Adélie Land]] (Terre Adélie): This is the French claim on the southernmost continent of [[Antarctica]].
* [[Crozet Islands]] (Îles Crozet): A group of islands in the southern Indian Ocean, located south of Madagascar.
* [[Kerguelen Islands]] (Archipel des Kerguelen): A volcanic island group in the southern Indian Ocean, southeast of Africa.
* [[Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands]] (Îles Saint Paul et Amsterdam): A group of islands to the north of the Kerguelen Islands.
* [[Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean|Scattered Islands]] (Îles Éparses): A dispersed group of islands around the coast of Madagascar.

The islands became known in the 16th century, when the Spanish discovered [[Île Amsterdam|Amsterdam Island]] on 18 March 1522, which was later claimed and named by the Dutch.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2012-10-23 |title=Early History of Amsterdam and St Paul Islands, South Indian Ocean |url=http://www.btinternet.com/~sa_sa/amsterdam/amsterdam_history_early.html |access-date=2024-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023224934/http://www.btinternet.com/~sa_sa/amsterdam/amsterdam_history_early.html |archive-date=23 October 2012 }}</ref> [[Île Saint-Paul|Saint Paul Island]] was discovered in 1559 by the Portuguese.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Crozet Islands|Crozet islands]] were discovered on 24 January 1772 by French explorer [[Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne]] during an expedition.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mills |first=William J. |title=Exploring polar frontiers: a historical encyclopedia |date=2003 |publisher=ABC Clio |isbn=978-1-57607-422-0 |location=Santa Barbara, California Denver, Colorado , Oxford, England}}</ref> [[Adélie Land|Adelie Land]] was the last to be discovered, in 1840 by the French during an expedition led by [[Jules Dumont d'Urville]], who would later have [[Dumont d'Urville Station|a research station]] on the island named after him.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Dunmore |first=John |title=From Venus to Antarctica: the life of Dumont D'Urville |date=2007 |publisher=Exisle Publ |isbn=978-0-908988-71-6 |location=Auckland}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=French Southern and Antarctic Lands - 2022 World Factbook Archive |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/countries/french-southern-and-antarctic-lands/#introduction |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=www.cia.gov}}</ref>

The entire territory has no known permanently settled inhabitants. It is mainly visited by military personnel, officials, scientific researchers, and support staff. In 2019, the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, and Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their pristine wilderness, biodiversity, and enormous bird colonies.{{r|whcunesco}}

On 6 August 1955, French law reorganized the administration of the islands into a new overseas territory administered by France itself, changing the previous arrangement in which the territory was attached to Madagascar (then a [[French Madagascar|French colony]]).<ref>{{cite book | title = A Few Acres of Ice: Environment, Sovereignty, and "Grandeur" in the French Antarctic | last = Martin-Nielsen | first = Janet | publisher = Cornell University Press | date = 2023 | page = 102 | doi = 10.1353/book.109911 | isbn = 9781501772122}} </ref>

The Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean are partially claimed by the Comoros, Madagascar and Mauritius.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/le-monde-a-l-envers/les-confettis-de-l-empire-colonial-francais-qui-irritent-madagascar-3700358 | title=Les confettis de l'empire colonial français qui irritent Madagascar| date=22 October 2019 }}</ref> The Malagasy and Mauritian claims, however, are significantly later than their access to independence. However, the agreement reached in October 2024 on the surrender to Mauritius of the Chagos Islands by Great Britain, in the heart of the Indian Ocean, notably home to the American base of Diego Garcia, has relaunched the debate in Madagascar.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.mondediplo.net/derisoires-sentinelles | title=Dérisoires sentinelles sur la route des super-pétroliers| date=6 June 2025 }}</ref>

== Administration ==
{{See also|List of superior administrators of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands}}

The French Southern and Antarctic Lands have formed a {{lang|fr|[[overseas territory (France)|territoire d'outre-mer]]}} (an overseas territory) of [[France]] since 1955. Formerly, they were administered from [[Paris]] by an {{lang|fr|administrateur supérieur}} assisted by a secretary-general; since December 2004, however, their administrator has been a ''[[prefect (France)|préfet]]'', currently [[Florence Jeanblanc-Risler]],<ref name="JORF20200916">{{cite web|url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000042334837|title=Décret du 16 septembre 2020 portant nomination du préfet, administrateur supérieur des Terres australes et antarctiques françaises - M. GIUSTI (Charles)|website=legifrance.gouv.fr|last=Government of the French Republic|date=16 September 2020|language=fr|access-date=28 August 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-06 |title=Florence Jeanblanc-Risler nouvelle préfète des Taaf |url=https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/secteurs-activites/peche/florence-jeanblanc-risler-nouvelle-prefete-des-taaf-44880 |website=Le Marin |language=fr}}</ref> with headquarters in [[Saint-Pierre, Réunion|Saint Pierre]] on [[Réunion]] Island.

The TAAF administration, the French Polar Institute Paul-Émile Victor (IPEV) and the [[French Navy]] jointly operate the icebreaker [[L'Astrolabe (2016 icebreaker)|''Astrolabe'']] which is based out of Reunion. The vessel is used both to bring personnel and supplies to the [[Dumont d'Urville Station]] and for research and patrol duties.<ref>[https://navaltoday.com/2017/07/13/french-navy-receives-icebreaker-and-patrol-vessel-lastrolabe/ French Navy receives icebreaker and patrol vessel L'Astrolabe]. Naval Today, 13 July 2017. {{retrieved|accessdate=2017-07-16}}</ref> The [[French armed forces]] also maintain small troop contingents on some of the Scattered Islands in order to protect the French territorial claim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Le Champlain : un soutien logistique pour les îles Éparses |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/champlain-soutien-logistique-iles-eparses |access-date=30 August 2023 |publisher=Ministère des Armées |date=23 August 2023 |language=fr }}</ref>

The territory is divided into five districts:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
!rowspan="2"| District
!rowspan="2"| [[Administrative centre]]
!colspan="2"| Population
! Area !! [[Exclusive economic zone|EEZ]]
|-
! Winter !! Summer
! colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| (km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
|align="left"| ''[[Adélie Land]]''
|align="left"| ''[[Dumont d'Urville Station]]''
| 30 || 110 || ''432,000'' ||align=center| —
|-
|align="left"| [[Crozet Islands]]
|align="left"| [[Alfred Faure]]
| 25 || 45 || 352 || 567,475
|-
|align="left"| [[Kerguelen Islands]]
|align="left"| [[Port-aux-Français]]
| 70 || 110 || 7,215 || 563,869
|-
|align="left"| [[Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands]]
|align="left"| [[Martin-de-Viviès]]
| 25 || 45 || 61 || 502,533
|-
|align="left"| [[Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean|Scattered Islands]]<sup>a</sup>
|align="left"| [[Saint-Pierre, Réunion|Saint Pierre]]<sup>b</sup>, [[Réunion]]
| 56 || 56 || 38.4 || 640,400
|- style="background:#ddd;"
|align="left"| '''TAAF'''
|align="left"| [[Saint-Pierre, Réunion|Saint Pierre]]<sup>c</sup>, [[Réunion]]
| 206 || 366 || ''439,666.4'' || 2,274,277
|} <small><!--
--><sup>a</sup> According to new law 2007-224 of February 21, 2007, the Scattered Islands constitute the TAAF's fifth district.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.taaf.fr/rubriques/iles/iles_introduction.htm |title=Les îles Éparses |access-date=2007-03-03 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502044529/http://www.taaf.fr/rubriques/iles/iles_introduction.htm |archive-date=May 2, 2007 }}</ref> The TAAF website does not mention their population. The data are not included in the totals.<br /><!--
--><sup>b</sup> The ''Îles Éparses'' principal station is on [[Tromelin Island]]. The headquarters of the district chief lies beyond the TAAF, in [[Saint-Pierre, Réunion|Saint Pierre]] on [[Réunion]] Island.<br /><!--
--><sup>c</sup> The Territory's principal station is [[Martin-de-Viviès]] on [[Île Amsterdam|Amsterdam Island]]. The capital and headquarters of the territorial administrator lies beyond the TAAF, in Saint Pierre on Réunion Island.<br /><!--
--></small>

Each district is headed by a district chief, who has powers similar to those of a French mayor (including recording births and deaths and being an [[law enforcement in France|officer of judicial police]]).

Because there is no permanent population, there is no elected assembly, nor does the territory send representatives to the national parliament.

== Geography ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2021}}

[[File:TAAF-CIA WFB Map.png|thumb|300px|Map of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.<br />{{smaller|[[Adélie Land]] (in Antarctica) and Banc du Geyser and Bassas da India (in the [[Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean|Îles Éparses]] district) are not shown.}}]]
[[File:Pringlea antiscorbutica Mayes fake.jpg|thumb|left|[[Kerguelen cabbage]]s on Île Mayès, Kerguelen]]

The territory includes the Crozet Islands, the Kerguelen Islands, and the Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands in the southern Indian Ocean near 43°S, 67°E, along with Adélie Land, the sector of Antarctica claimed by France. Adélie Land, named by the French explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville after his wife, covers about 432,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (167,000 sq mi). The islands, totaling 7,781&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (3,004 sq mi), have no indigenous inhabitants, although in 1997 there were approximately 100 researchers whose numbers varied from winter (July) to summer (January).

Amsterdam Island and Saint Paul Island are both extinct volcanoes and have been delineated as the Amsterdam and Saint-Paul Islands temperate grasslands ecoregion. The highest point in the territory is Mont Ross on Kerguelen Island, standing at 1,850&nbsp;m (6,070&nbsp;ft). Notably, there are very few airstrips on the islands, existing only on islands with weather stations. The 1,232&nbsp;km (766&nbsp;mi) of coastline lacks ports or harbors, offering only offshore anchorages.

The islands in the Indian Ocean receive supplies via the special ship Marion Dufresne, which sails out of Le Port in Réunion Island. Terre Adélie, the Antarctic sector claimed by France, is supplied by L’Astrolabe, which sails out of Hobart in Tasmania.

Regarding maritime activity, the territory maintains a merchant marine fleet totaling (as of 1999) 2,892,911 GRT/5,165,713 tonnes deadweight (DWT). This fleet includes seven bulk carriers, five cargo ships, ten chemical tankers, nine container ships, six liquefied gas carriers, 24 petroleum tankers, one refrigerated cargo ship, and ten roll-on/roll-off (RORO) carriers. Notably, this fleet operates under the French register, allowing French-owned ships to benefit from more liberal taxation and manning regulations than those permissible under the main French register. However, this register is expected to be replaced by the International French Register (Registre International Français, RIF) in the future.[[File:Kerguelen VolcanDuDiable.jpg|thumb|left|[[Volcan du Diable]] on Grande Terre, Kerguelen]]
== Sovereignty dispute ==
[[Mauritius]], [[Madagascar]], and the [[Comoros]] dispute France's sovereignty over these islands. Mauritius claims [[Tromelin Island]] and states that the island, discovered by France in 1722, was not ceded by the [[Treaty of Paris (1814)|Treaty of Paris]] in 1814. Madagascar claims sovereignty over the [[Glorioso Islands]] (including [[Banc du Geyser]]), though the island group was never a part of the [[Malagasy Protectorate]], having been a part of the [[Mayotte|Colony of Mayotte and dependencies]], then a part of the [[history of the Comoros|French Comoros]] that had become a separately administered colony from Madagascar in 1946. The Comoros also claims the Glorioso Islands (including Banc du Geyser), as a part of the disputed [[regions of France|French region]] of Mayotte. Furthermore, Madagascar has also claimed [[Bassas da India]], [[Europa Island]], and [[Juan de Nova Island]] since 1972,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/AU/Documents/Decisions/com/19CoM_1980b.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030155138/http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Documents/Decisions/com/19CoM_1980b.pdf |archive-date=2007-10-30 |access-date=2009-08-17 |website=africa-union.org}}</ref> and a 1979 United Nations resolution (without binding force) demanded the cession of these islands to Madagascar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/34/91 |title=United Nations Resolution 34/91 |date=12 December 1979 |trans-title=Question of the Islands of Gloriesus, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/35/123 |title=United Nations Resolution 35/123 |date=11 December 1980 |trans-title=Question of the Islands of Gloriesus, Juan de Nova, Europa and Bassas da India |publisher=[[United Nations]] |access-date=13 June 2020}}</ref> [[Seychelles]] claimed a part of the Scattered Islands too before the signing of the [[France–Seychelles Maritime Boundary Agreement]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} A negotiation session between France and Madagascar took place in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20200620-madagascar-impatience-question-restitution-%C3%AEles-eparses |title=Îles Éparses, colonisation, contrats… Le programme d'Emmanuel Macron à Madagascar |date=20 June 2020 |trans-title=Madagascar: l'impatience monte sur la question de la restitution des Îles Eparses |publisher=[[Radio France International]] |access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref> In April 2025, France and Madagascar announced that they would meet in June 2025 to find a peaceful solution to the dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/monde/madagascar/iles-eparses-colonisation-contrats-le-programme-demmanuel-macron-a-madagascar-f691631e-2025-11f0-bf67-a97478b86af6 |title=Îles Éparses, colonisation, contrats… Le programme d'Emmanuel Macron à Madagascar |date=23 April 2025 |trans-title=Scattered Islands, colonization, contracts… Emmanuel Macron’s program in Madagascar |publisher=[[Ouest-France]] |access-date=26 April 2025}}</ref> President Emmanuel Macron favors a form of co-management with Madagascar, rather than restitution.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250427-madagascar-gouvernement-et-opposition-r%C3%A9agissent-au-refus-de-la-france-de-restituer-les-%C3%AEles-%C3%A9parses |title=Madagascar: gouvernement et opposition réagissent au refus de la France de restituer les Îles Éparses |date=27 April 2025 |trans-title=Madagascar: Government and opposition react to France's refusal to return the Scattered Islands |publisher=[[Radio France International]] |access-date=27 April 2025}}</ref> On June 20, 2025, Malagasy Foreign Minister Rasata Rafaravavitafika chaired a meeting of the scientific committee devoted to Madagascar's claim to the Scattered Islands. The objective of this meeting was to develop arguments for preserving Madagascar's sovereignty over the Scattered Islands, while moving forward in discussions with France.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.madagascar-tribune.com/Iles-Eparses-Madagascar-prepare-la.html |title=Îles Éparses : Madagascar prépare la deuxième Commission mixte franco-malagasy |date=21 June 2025 |trans-title=Scattered Islands: Madagascar prepares the second Franco-Malagasy Joint Commission |publisher=Madagascar Tribune|access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> On June 24, 2025, the Malagasy platform "Sehatry ny Raiamandreny" (Sera) affirmed the indefatigability of Madagascar's claim to the territories of the Scattered Islands.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://actu.orange.mg/le-sera-evoque-une-souverainete-non-negociable-sur-les-iles-eparses/ |title=Le sera evoque une souverainete non negociable sur les iles eparses |date=24 June 2025 |trans-title= |publisher=actu.orange.mg |access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref> The second commission, between France and Madagascar, will meet on June 30, 2025, for bilateral discussions on congestion, or the restitution of the Scattered Islands to Madagascar.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/southern-africa-and-islands/2025/06/06/who-will-lead-the-scattered-islands-mixed-commission,110462456-bre |title=Who will lead the Scattered Islands mixed commission? |date=6 June 2025 |trans-title= |publisher= Africa Intelligence|access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> On June 26, 2025, France published the lists of negotiators at the meeting of June 30, 2025, between Madagascar and France.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.africaintelligence.fr/afrique-australe-et-iles/2025/06/26/iles-eparses--paris-met-la-touche-finale-a-la-liste-de-ses-negociateurs,110469122-bre |title=Madagascar Îles Éparses : Paris met la touche finale à la liste de ses négociateurs |date=26 June 2025 |trans-title=Madagascar Scattered Islands: Paris finalizes its list of negotiators |publisher= Africa Intelligence|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>

== Flora and fauna ==
{{See also|List of mammals of French Southern Territories}}

{{Designation list
| designation1            = WHS
| designation1_offname    = French Austral Lands and Seas
| designation1_date       = [[List of World Heritage Sites by year of inscription#2019 (43rd session)|2019]] <small>(43rd [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_type       = 
| designation1_criteria   = {{UNESCO WHS type|(vii), (ix), (x)}}(vii), (ix), (x)
| Year                    = 2019
| area                    = 67,296,900 ha
| buffer_zone             = 
| designation1_number     = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1603/ 1603]
| designation1_free1name  = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Western Europe|Western Europe]]
| designation2            = Ramsar
| designation2_offname    = Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Terres Australes Francaises
| designation2_date       = 15 September 2008
| designation2_number     = 1837<ref>{{Cite web|title=Réserve Naturelle Nationale des Terres Australes Francaises|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1837|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}

Due to their isolation, the French islands in the southern Indian Ocean comprise one of the last remaining large wilderness areas on Earth.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1603 |title = French Austral Lands and Seas |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 22 Jan 2022}}</ref> Furthermore, the islands are positioned along the [[Antarctic Convergence]], where [[upwelling]] creates nutrient-rich waters.<ref name = "iucn">{{cite report |url = http://whc.unesco.org/document/176189 |title = French Austral Lands and Seas |publisher = IUCN |date = April 2019 |access-date = 22 Jan 2022}}</ref> As a result, birds and marine mammals gather on the islands in great abundance. More than 50 million birds of 47 species breed on the islands, including more than half the breeding population of 16 different species.<ref name = "unesco"/> The largest populations of [[king penguins]] and the endangered [[Indian yellow-nosed albatross]] on Earth are found on the Crozet Islands and Amsterdam Island, respectively.<ref name = "iucn"/> Other threatened bird species with important populations on the islands include [[Eaton's pintail]], [[MacGillivray's prion]], and the [[Amsterdam albatross]], which is one of four bird species [[endemic]] to the island group.<ref name = "iucn"/> The French Southern Lands also hold the second largest population of [[southern elephant seals]] on Earth, numbering roughly 200,000, and the third largest population of the [[Antarctic fur seal]].

Because of their isolation and subpolar location, the French Southern Lands are relatively [[Depauperate ecosystem|depauperate]] of vegetation, with both Saint-Paul and Crozet having no native tree or shrub species.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Larrue |first1=Sébastien |last2=Chadeyron |first2=Julien |last3=Faucon |first3=Frédéric |title=Quelles origines à l'asylvatisme des îles volcaniques australes Crozet et Saint-Paul (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, océan Indien) ? |journal=Cybergeo |date=19 January 2018 |doi=10.4000/cybergeo.28917|doi-access=free }}</ref> However, eight of the 36 higher plant species are endemic.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Timaná |first1=Martín E. |last2=Lebouvier |first2=Marc |last3=Rouhan |first3=Germinal |title=Sagina hookeri Timaná, sp. nov. (Caryophyllaceae), a new endemic species for the flora of Île Amsterdam (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) |journal=Adansonia |date=11 February 2019 |volume=41 |issue=1 |pages=17 |doi=10.5252/adansonia2019v41a2|s2cid=91871485 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019Adan...41...17T }}</ref> Some species of endemic invertebrates have also been recorded on the islands, including moths and flies which have lost their wings in the absence of predators.<ref name = "iucn"/>

== Economy ==
The territory's natural resources are limited to fish and crustaceans. Economic activity is limited to servicing [[meteorology|meteorological]] and [[geophysics|geophysical]] research stations and French and other fishing fleets.<ref name = "OEC">{{cite web |url = https://oec.world/en/profile/country/spm |title = Saint Pierre and Miquelon (SPM) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners |website = OEC |publisher = Observatory of Economic Complexity |access-date = 7 Jul 2023}}</ref>

The main fish resources are [[Patagonian toothfish]] and [[spiny lobster]]. Both are poached by foreign fleets; because of this, the [[French Navy]], and occasionally other services, patrol the zone and arrest poaching vessels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=L'Astrolabe |url=https://taaf.fr/collectivites/lastrolabe/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Terres australes et antarctiques françaises |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lutte contre la pêche illicite |url=https://taaf.fr/missions-et-activites/souverainete-francaise/lutte-contre-la-peche-illicite/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Terres australes et antarctiques françaises |language=fr-FR}}</ref> Such arrests can result in heavy fines or the seizure of the ship.

France previously sold licenses to foreign fisheries to fish the Patagonian toothfish; because of overfishing, it is now restricted to a small number of fisheries from [[Réunion|Réunion Island]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taaf.fr/content/uploads/2022/01/Gestion-de-la-ressource-halieutique-et-de-limpact-de-la-peche-sur-les-oiseaux-marins-cycle-4.pdf|website=taaf.fr|language=fr|access-date=12 April 2024|title=Protéger: des îles sentinelles La gestion de la pêche dans les Terres australes françaises}}</ref>

The territory takes in revenues of about [[euro|€]]16 million a year.

== Locations and scientific stations ==
While the territory lacks a permanent civilian population, there are several inhabited research stations. ''Île Amsterdam'' has [[Martin-de-Viviès|a meteorological station]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stations |url=https://data.europeanpolarboard.org/stations/?no_cache=1&tx_infradatabase_stations%5Bcode%5D=CO1105&tx_infradatabase_stations%5Baction%5D=stationinfo&tx_infradatabase_stations%5Bcontroller%5D=Frontend&cHash=2f3e8be809e9871850ac0daf73f9c36b |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=EPB |language=en}}</ref> ''Îles Crozet'' contains the [[Alfred Faure|Alfred Faure research station]] with a population of about 20-30 people. One of the most populous research stations in the ''Îles Kerguelen'', [[Port-aux-Français|Port-aux-Francais]], contains 50-100 researchers. The ''Îles Éparses'' contains a French military garrison and is a spot for meteorology. The [[Dumont d'Urville Station|Dumont d’Urville station]] is a vital area for studying wildlife, the atmosphere and the ice caps.

=== [[Adélie Land]] ===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
!Name
!Location
!Status
|-
|{{Ill|Charcot Station|fr|Base Charcot}}
|
|Uninhabited
|-
|[[Dumont d'Urville Station]]
|[[Petrel Island (Antarctica)]]
|Inhabited
|-
|[[Port Martin]]
|[[Cape Margerie]]
|Uninhabited
|-
|Robert Guillard Station
|
|Inhabited
|}

=== [[Crozet Islands]] ===
[[File:Mat_des_couleurs.jpg|thumb|250x250px|View of Alfred Faure]]
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
!Name
!Location
!Status
|-
|[[Alfred Faure]]
|[[Île de la Possession]]
|Inhabited
|}

=== [[Kerguelen Islands]] ===
[[File:Port_aux_Français.JPG|thumb|250x250px|View of Port-aux-Français]]
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
!Name
!Location
!Status
|-
|[[Port-aux-Français]]
|[[Golfe du Morbihan (Kerguelen)|Gulf of Morbihan]]
|Inhabited
|-
|[[Port-Christmas]]
|[[Loranchet Peninsula]]
|Uninhabited
|}

=== [[Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands]] ===
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
!Name
!Location
!Status
|-
|{{Ill|Martin-de-Viviès|fr|Martin-de-Viviès}}
|[[Île Amsterdam|Amsterdam Island]]
|Inhabited
|}

=== [[Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean|Scattered Islands]] ===
There are no permanent settlements on the islands, however the [[French Armed Forces]] maintain small troop contingents on some of the islands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2023 |title=Le Champlain : un soutien logistique pour les îles Éparses |url=https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/champlain-soutien-logistique-iles-eparses |access-date=24 December 2024 |publisher=Ministère des Armées |language=fr}}</ref> There are also [[Weather station|weather stations]] on all the islands apart from [[Bassas da India]].

== Codes ==
The French Southern Territories (i.e. the TAAF excluding Adélie Land) have been given the following [[country code]]s: FS ([[List of FIPS country codes|FIPS]]) and [[ISO 3166-2:TF|TF]] ([[ISO 3166-1 alpha-2]]).

== See also ==
{{portal|Geography|Africa|France}}
* [[Administrative divisions of France]]
* <!-- [[Bibliography of France]] -->
* [[French colonial empire]]
* [[French Fifth Republic]]
* <!-- [[Index of France-related articles]] -->
* [[List of French islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans]]
* [[List of French possessions and colonies]]
* [[Outline of France]]
* [[Overseas France]]
* <!-- {{wikipedia books link|France}} -->
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{wikiatlas|the French Southern and Antarctic Lands}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130316074522/http://www.france.fr/en/regions-and-cities/french-southern-and-antarctic-lands French Southern and Antarctic Lands] – official French website {{in lang|en}}
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/french-southern-and-antarctic-lands/ French Southern and Antarctic Lands]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [https://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Antarctic.shtml Southern & Antarctic Territories]
* [https://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Crozet.shtml Crozet Archipelago]
* [https://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Kerguelen.shtml Kerguelen Archipelago]
* [https://www.discoverfrance.net/Colonies/Terre_Adelie.shtml Terre Adélie]

{{Navboxes
|title = Articles related to French Southern and Antarctic Lands
|list  = 
{{Peri-Antarctic countries and overseas territories}}
{{French overseas departments and territories|state=collapsed}}
{{EU dependencies|state=collapsed}}
{{Outlying territories of European countries|state=collapsed}}
{{Antarctica claims|state=collapsed}}
{{Countries of Africa}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:French Southern and Antarctic Lands| ]]
[[Category:1955 establishments in France]]
[[Category:1955 in Antarctica]]
[[Category:Dependent territories in Africa]]
[[Category:Countries in East Africa]]
[[Category:France and the Antarctic]]
[[Category:Geography of Antarctica]]
[[Category:Geography of Overseas France]]
[[Category:Island countries of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Overseas France]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in France]]
[[Category:Southeast African countries]]
[[Category:Special territories of the European Union]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1955]]
[[Category:Territorial claims in Antarctica]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in France]]