Kerguelen Island

island, Indian Ocean

Also known as: Desolation Island

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June 30, 2026

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Kerguelen Islands, also known as Desolation Island, is an archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. It is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands and comprises Kerguelen Island along with approximately 300 smaller islets, covering about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square km). Kerguelen Island itself is about 100 miles (160 km) long and is heavily glaciated, featuring active glaciers and peaks up to 6,445 feet (1,965 metres).

Discovered by French navigator Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec in 1772 and later explored by Captain James Cook, the islands were frequently visited by whalers and seal hunters. In 1950, a permanent scientific base, Port-aux-Français, was established on the main island.12

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Kerguelen Islands
…of Kerguelen (also known as Desolation Island) and nearly 300 islets, which together cover about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square km). Heavily glaciated Kerguelen Island, about 100 miles (160 km) in length, has active glaciers and peaks up to 6,445 feet (1,965 metres).
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…of Kerguelen (also known as Desolation Island) and nearly 300 islets, which together cover about 2,400 square miles (6,200 square km). Heavily glaciated Kerguelen Island, about 100 miles (160 km) in length, has active glaciers and peaks up to 6,445 feet (1,965 metres).
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Antarctica
Plant life
Kerguelen, and Macquarie islands—are characterized by an abundance of vascular plants of many species, at least 50 being identified on South Georgia alone. Whereas plants reproducing by spores are characteristic of Antarctica, seed plants chiefly characterize subantarctic regions.
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Kerguelen, and Macquarie islands—are characterized by an abundance of vascular plants of many species, at least 50 being identified on South Georgia alone. Whereas plants reproducing by spores are characteristic of Antarctica, seed plants chiefly characterize subantarctic regions.
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