Most interesting attractions and landmarks in

St. Paul and Amsterdam Islands

Gatis Pvils, 24 December 2011 No.4. http://www.wondermondo.com/AmsterdamIs.htm

Image: Saint Paul Island. Bruno Navez, Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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aint Paul and Amsterdam Islands are remote islands located on the same latitude as Melbourne in

Australia. The islands are a part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands overseas territory of France. Geographically these islands are not a part of Sub-antarctic region, but they are even further away from Australia, Asia or Africa, thus Wondermondo includes them with Sub-antarctic islands. The mild climate and remoteness of the islands has facilitated the development of distinct ecosystem with endemic species of plants and animals. Unfortunately this ecosystem has been depleted by the forest fires, by cattle and other introduced animals and plants. The landscape of the islands is spectacular, with very tall cliffs. Both islands are tops of volcanoes.

Del Cano (Frandes Ravines) Falls Amsterdam Island, south west. Two impressive, perennial waterfalls. One is falling down a nearly vertical cliff, another is falling vertically into ravine. DEntrecasteaux Cliffs Amsterdam Island, southwest. Up to 731 m tall cliffs, almost vertical. Populated by tens of thousands of birds. DEntrecasteaux Falls Amsterdam Island, southwest. Perennial falls cascading down the DEntrecasteaux cliffs. In strong wind (what is often here) the water is caught up and flies upwards. Grand Bois eastern part of Amsterdam Island. The only remnant of the dense forest of Phylica arborea an subantarctic tree. This forest covers 8 ha, earlier, before the human inflicted forest fires it covered large part of the island. Grande Coule Amsterdam Island. Very impressive lava tunnel with many collapses, rich with plant life. Unexpectedly exotic walking path in this far southern island. Grotte du Bib northern part of Amsterdam Island. A lava tunnel. Sinkholes, where the tunnel has collapsed, are covered with vegetation.

Phylica arborea, Amsterdam Island. Bruno Navez, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0.

When

Plateau des Tourbires central part of Amsterdam Island, a 500 600 m high plateau with peat bogs. The only breeding site for the critically endangered Amsterdam Albatros (Diomedea amsterdamensis). Wingspan of this birds reaches 3.4 m. Only some 130 birds exist. Plateau contains endemic species of Sphagnum moss.

the remote Amsterdam Island was discovered, the lowland parts of it were covered with a unique Sub-Antarctic forest a thicket of Phylica arborea trees. The total area of this forest was 1 500 ha (circa 27% of Amsterdam Island). Now only 8 ha of the original forest remain, protected from the cattle by a line of cypress trees.

Sources Thermales, Saint Paul Saint Paul Island, bank of Bassin du Cratere. Sources with hot water, heated by the volcanic heat.