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.
