The French Antarctic Territories are a French overseas territory.

The fact that Adelieland belongs to the territory is not recognized under international law due to the Antarctic Treaty. In the area south of 60 degrees south, France therefore only exercises its territorial sovereignty within the framework of the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and the Environmental Protection Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty of 1991. The Antarctic Adelieland covers an area of 432,000 km², the Îles Éparses are located near Madagascar and have an area of 39 km².

The area has no permanent residents. Around 140 researchers spend the winter in four Antarctic research stations. This number can double during the summer months. In addition, there is the occupation of the military bases on four of the Îles Éparses, which amounts to a total of 54.

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