Grande-Terre, Volcanic island in Kerguelen Archipelago, French Southern Territories
Grande-Terre spans 150 kilometers from east to west and 120 kilometers from north to south, making it the principal landmass of the Kerguelen Islands.
The island was first recorded in 1772 by French navigator Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec during his exploration mission in the southern Indian Ocean.
Port-aux-Français research station maintains a population of 25 to 125 scientists and staff members who develop their own vocabulary called taafien.
The Marion Dufresne supply vessel connects Grande-Terre with Réunion four times per year, providing the only regular transportation to this remote location.
Mount Ross, reaching 1850 meters in elevation, remained the last unclimbed French peak until its first ascent in 1973.
Location: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Elevation above the sea: 1,850 m
Part of: Kerguelen Islands
Address: Grande Terre, French Southern and Antarctic Lands
GPS coordinates: -49.30000,69.13330
Latest update: December 2, 2025 10:20
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