South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 — except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th- and early 20th-century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, which was stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK extended the exclusive fishing zone in 1993, from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island.
Geography
Location
Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America
Geographic coordinates
54 30 S, 37 00 W
Map references
Antarctic Region
Area
total : 3,903 sq km
land: 3,903 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands
comparison ranking: total 176
Area – comparative
slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
NA
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow
Terrain
most of the islands are rugged and mountainous rising steeply from the sea; South Georgia is largely barren with steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes
Elevation
highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
fish
Land use
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2022)
Natural hazards
the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism
Geography – note
the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage
People and Society
Population
total: no permanent inhabitants
Environment
Environment – current issues
damage to native wildlife from imported animals
Climate
variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow
Land use
other: 100% (2018 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
conventional short form: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
abbreviation: SGSSI
etymology: Captain James COOK originally named it “the Isle of Georgia” in 1775 in honor of British King GEORGE III; the word “South” was later added to distinguish these islands from the other Sandwich Islands, now known as the Hawaiian Islands
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing the British monarch
Legal system
the laws of the UK apply
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina)
International organization participation
UPU
Flag description
blue with the UK flag in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the islands’ coat of arms is centered on the outer half of the flag and has a green shield with a golden lion holding a torch; a fur seal is to the left of the shield and a Macaroni penguin to the right; a reindeer appears above the crest, and below the shield on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land); the lion represents the UK and discovery; the seal, penguin, and reindeer are native to the islands
Transportation
Heliports
1 (2025)
comparison ranking: 149
Ports
total ports: 3 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Grytviken, Prince Olav Harbor, Stromness Harbor
Military and Security
Military – note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
