Gough Island
Gough Island (/ɡɒf/ GOF), also known historically as Gonçalo Álvares, is a rugged volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a dependency of Tristan da Cunha and part of the British overseas territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. It is approximately 400 km (250 mi) south-east of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago (which includes Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island), 2,400 km (1,500 mi) north-east from South Georgia Island, 2,700 km (1,700 mi) west from Cape Town, and over 3,200 km (2,000 mi) from the nearest point of South America.
View of Gough Island | |
Gough Island Gonçalo Álvares | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | South Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 40°19′12″S 09°56′24″W |
| Archipelago | Tristan da Cunha |
| Area | 91 km2 (35 sq mi) |
| Length | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Width | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 910 m (2990 ft) |
| Highest point | Edinburgh Peak |
| Administration | |
United Kingdom | |
| St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Criteria | Natural: (vii), (x) |
| Reference | 740 |
| Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
Ramsar Wetland | |
| Designated | 20 November 2008 |
| Reference no. | 1868 |
Gough Island is uninhabited, except for the personnel of a weather station (usually six people) that the South African National Antarctic Programme has maintained, with British permission, continually on the island since 1956. It is one of the most remote places with a constant human presence. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of "Gough and Inaccessible Island". It is one of the most important seabird colonies in the world.