Kerguelen Islands, French Southern and Antarctic Lands

The Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean are of part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. They're 2,000 miles from the southernmost part of Africa, and are only accessible by ship four days a year.

Kerguelen Island itself is also known as "Desolation Island," and is surrounded by 300 other islets scattered over 2,400 square miles.

Coated by glaciers, the Kerguelen Islands receive rain, sleet, or snow 300 days a year. Most of the people who live there are French researchers.