Amsterdam Island

Amsterdam Island Latest News

For nearly a month the French territory of Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean has been engulfed in flames.

About Amsterdam Island

• Referred to as Nouvelle Amsterdam or Île Amsterdam, Amsterdam Island is a small French island territory that is situated in the southern Indian Ocean.
• Along with the neighboring Île Saint-Paul, Amsterdam Island is administered under the French Southern and Antarctic Territories.
• It is located roughly midway between Australia, Antarctica, Madagascar, the Australian external territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and British Indian Ocean Territory.
• It is approximately 3,200 km away from each of these territories.
• The elliptical-shaped volcanic Amsterdam Island covers an area of about 55 sq.km. and has a length of 10 km and a maximum width of 7 km.
• The island is relatively recent, having formed between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago.
• The island consists of a potentially active stratovolcano, although there are no historical records of volcanic eruptions on the island.
• Human Presence: The island has no permanent population but hosts a small scientific research station called Martin-de-Viviès, which is manned by a rotating team of scientists.

Amsterdam Island Flora & Fauna

• The endemic Amsterdam albatross is one of the world’s rarest species of avifauna, found only on Amsterdam Island.
• Amsterdam Island is the only French sub-Antartic isle that supports a native tree, Phylica nitida.

Amsterdam Island FAQs

Q1. Where is Amsterdam Island located?

Ans. Amsterdam Island (Île Amsterdam) is a French island located in the southern Indian Ocean.

Q2. Who discovered Amsterdam Island?

Ans. Amsterdam Island was discovered in 1522 by Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Spanish explorer, during the first recorded circumnavigation of the world. 

Q3. How many people live on Amsterdam Island?

Ans. Amsterdam Island is uninhabited except for a small group of researchers and personnel stationed at Martin-de-Viviès research station.

Source: BBC