The Kerguelen Islands, also known as the Desolation Islands, are a group of islands in the sub-Antarctic region. They are among the most isolated places on Earth, with the closest territory being the Heard Island and McDonald Islands territory of Australia located at roughly 450 km, and the nearest inhabited territory being Madagascar at more than 3,300 kilo…The Kerguelen Islands, also known as the Desolation Islands, are a group of islands in the sub-Antarctic region. They are among the most isolated places on Earth, with the closest territory being the Heard Island and McDonald Islands territory of Australia located at roughly 450 km, and the nearest inhabited territory being Madagascar at more than 3,300 kilometres in distance. The islands, along with Adélie Land, the Crozet Islands, Amsterdam and Saint Paul islands, and France's Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean, are part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands and are administered as a separate district.