South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands : Ask Biography

General information

Common name

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Motto

"Leo Terram Propriam Protegat" (Latin)
"Let the Lion protect his own land"
or "May the Lion protect his own land"

Anthem

"God Save the Queen"

Capital

King Edward Point (Grytviken)

Official languages

English

Government

Government

British Overseas Territory

Monarch

Elizabeth II

Commissioner

Nigel Haywood

Geography

Total Area

1507 sq mi (3903.1 km2)

Demography

Population Est.

30 (n/a)

Density (pop.)

0.005/km² (0/sq mi)

Economy

Other information

Currency

Pound sterling (GBP)

Drives on the

left

Internet TLD

.gs

Islands information

Name

South Georgia Island

Location

Antarctic

Geography information

Elevation

9626 ft (2934 m)

Highest point

Mt Paget

Administration information

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Commissioner

Nigel Haywood

Administration information

Population

Ethnic groups

Britons

Home | Country | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands, known as the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia is 167.4 km (104 mi) long and 1.4 to 37 km (0.9 to 23 mi ) wide and is by far the largest island in the territory. The South Sandwich Islands lie about 520 km (323.1 mi) to the south-east of South Georgia. The total land area of the territory is 3903 km2 (2425.2 mi2).

There is no native population on any of the islands, and the only present inhabitants are the British Government Officer, Deputy Postmaster, scientists, and support staff from the British Antarctic Survey who maintain scientific bases at Bird Island and at the capital, King Edward Point, as well as museum staff at nearby Grytviken.

The United Kingdom claimed sovereignty over South Georgia in 1775 and the South Sandwich Islands in 1908. In 1908 the United Kingdom annexed both South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The territory of "South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands" was formed in 1985; previously it had been governed as part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. Argentina claimed South Georgia in 1927, and the South Sandwich Islands in 1938.

Argentina maintained a naval station, Corbeta Uruguay on Thule Island in the South Sandwich Islands from 1976 until 1982 when it was closed by the Royal Navy. The Argentine claim over South Georgia contributed to the 1982 Falklands War, during which Argentine forces briefly occupied part of the Island. Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.