Kerguelen Islands

The Kerguelen Islands are a group of islands in the southern Indian Ocean. The Kerguelen Islands are a territory of France. There are no indigenous inhabitants but there is abundant birdlife and marine mammals. France maintains a permanent presence of 50 to 100 scientists, engineers, and researchers on the island.

The climate on the Kerguelen Islands is raw and chilly with frequent high winds throughout the year and the surrounding seas are rough. All travel and transport from the outside world is conducted by ship.