French Southern Territories

The French Southern Territories, sometimes referred to as the Southern Lands or the Southern Territories, are a group of French overseas collectivities in the Southern Indian Ocean. They consist of five separate entities: the French Antarctic Lands, the French Austral Lands, the French Crozet Islands, the French Kerguelen Islands, and the French Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. The total land area of the Territories is about 1.3 million square kilometers, with a population of just over 3,000 people. The capital city is Port-aux-Français on the Îles Kerguelen, and the largest settlement is Saint-Pierre on the Île Saint-Paul. The French Southern Territories have a long history of exploration and settlement by a number of European nations. The first recorded landing was by the French explorer Antoine de la Roche in 1699, and the first permanent settlement was established by the French in 1764. The Îles Kerguelen were annexed by France in 1893, and the Îles Crozet and Îles Saint-Paul were annexed in 1908. The French Southern Territories are one of the least populated regions in the world, and are home to a number of unique animals and plants. The Îles Kerguelen are home to the world’s largest colony of king penguins, and the Îles Crozet are home to a large number of albatrosses. The French Southern Territories are an important part of the French Republic, and are administered by the Minister of Overseas France. The Territories are represented in the French Parliament by two deputies and two senators. The French Southern Territories are a group of five French overseas collectivities in the Southern Indian Ocean. They consist of the French Antarctic Lands, the French Austral Lands, the French Crozet Islands, the French Kerguelen Islands, and the French Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. The French Southern Territories have a long history of exploration and settlement by a number of European nations. The first recorded landing was by the French explorer Antoine de la Roche in 1699, and the first permanent settlement was established by the French in 1764. The Îles Kerguelen were annexed by France in 1893, and the Îles Crozet and Îles Saint-Paul were annexed in 1908. The French Southern Territories are one of the least populated regions in the world, and are home to a number of unique animals and plants. The Îles Kerguelen are home to the world’s largest colony of king penguins, and the Îles Crozet are home to a large number of albatrosses. The French Southern Territories are an important part of the French Republic, and are administered by the Minister of Overseas France. The Territories are represented in the French Parliament by two deputies and two senators.