m et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but
is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research
cabin for short stays
Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the
Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession
Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at
Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses):
a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each
possession; visited by scientists
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by
scientists

Government
French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and
Antarctic Lands
conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques
Francaises
local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
abbreviation: TAAF

Dependency status:

overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by
Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007)

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses,
Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district
is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by
the US

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007),
represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16
October 2008)

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy
French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and
geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other
fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign
ships are exported to France and Reunion.

Communications
French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Internet country code:

.tf