French Southern Territories

The French Southern Territories (long name: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, French: Territoire des Terres australes et antarctiques françaises or Terres australes et antarctiques françaises or T.A.A.F. or TAAF) are antarctic, volcanic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, south of Africa and about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia.

Administration

The French Southern Territories form an overseas territory of France (French: territoire d'outre-mer).

Related Topics:
France - French - Territoire d'outre-mer

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It has been an overseas territory of France since 1955. It was formerly administered from Paris by an administrateur supérieur, assisted by a secretary-general; however, since December 2004, it is administered by a préfet (currently, Michel Champon), headquartered in Saint-Pierre on Réunion Island. The "capital" (main base) of the territory is Martin-de-Viviès on Île Amsterdam.

Related Topics:
France - 1955 - Paris - Préfet - Michel Champon - Saint-Pierre - Réunion Island - Martin-de-Viviès - Île Amsterdam

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The territory is divided into four districts:

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• Amsterdam and Saint Paul (Îles Saint Paul et Amsterdam), composed of Île Amsterdam and Île Saint-Paul, area 61 km², main base Martin-de-Viviès
• Crozet Archipelago (Îles Crozet or officially Archipel Crozet), area 505 km², main base Alfred-Faure
• Kerguelen (Îles Kerguelen or officially Archipel (des) Kerguelen), area 7,215 km², main base Port-aux-Français
• Adélie Land (Terre Adélie), area 432,000 km², main base Dumont d'Urville

Each district is headed by a district chief, which has powers similar to those of a French mayor (including recording births and deaths and being a officer of judicial police).

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

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Several countries do not recognize the French claim to "Adélie Land", and France's territorial claim is suspended in accordance with the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty.

Related Topics:
Adélie Land - Antarctic Treaty

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As of 2005, the inclusion of the Scattered Islands into the TAAF is being considered by the French government. The prefect of the TAAF has already been put in charge of those islands.

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - Scattered Islands

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