Tuesday 26 May 2020

FRENCH SOUTHERN and ANTARCTIC LANDS (T.A.A.F.) - Île Amsterdam

Another very nice cover from French Southern Antarctic Lands (T.A.A.F.), posted at Martin-de-Viviès antarctic base (Île Amsterdam).
Île Amsterdam is an island in the southern indian ocean that together with neighbouring île Saint Paul to the south, forms one of the five districts of the territory of T.A.A.F. The research station at Martin-de-Viviès is the only settlement on the island and is the seasonal home to about thirty researchers and staff studying biology, meteorology and geomagnetics.
The island is roghly equidistant to the land masses of Madagascar, Australia and Antarctica - as well as the British Ocean Territory and the Cocos (Keeling) islands.
Current Local Time in Amsterdam Island, French Southern Territories





Saturday 23 May 2020

FRENCH SOUTHERN and ANTARCTIC LANDS (T.A.A.F.) - Alfred Faure Station (Crozet Island)

Another nice cover from T.A.A.F. (French Southern and Antarctic Lands). This one was posted at Alfred-Faure Station, a permanent French scientific station on île de la Possession (POssession Island) of the subantarctic Crozet archipelago in the south indian ocean. Depending on the season, there are between 15-60 personnel working at the base. Their scientific work includes meteorogical, seismic, biological and geological research.
French Colonies - Crozet Archipelago, Les Iles Crozet



Saturday 16 May 2020

FRENCH SOUTHERN and ANTARCTIC LANDS (T.A.A.F.) - Kerguelen Islands

An amazing cover from T.A.A.F. (French Southern and Antarctic Lands), posted at Kerguelen islands.
This archipelago, also know as Desolation Islands, are a group of islands in the Antarctic constituting one of the two exposed parts of Kerguelen Plateau, a large igneous province  mostly submerged by the southern Indian Ocean. They are among the most isolated places on Earth, located more than 3,300 kms from Madagascar, the nearest permanently populated location. There are no indigenous innhabitants, but France maintains a permanent presence og soldiers, scientists, engineers and researchers. There are no airports on the islands, so all travel to and from the outside world is conducted by ship.

Ultima Thule: Kerguelen, remote but magnificent sub-antarctic islands