South Shetland Islands

The South Shetland Islands or Iles Shetland du Sud or Islas Shetland del Sur or New South Britain or New South Shetland or Shetland Islands or South Shetlands or Sydshetland or Süd-Shetland Inseln are a chain of islands in the Southern Ocean lying about 120 kilometres northward of the Antarctic Peninsula. As a group of islands, the South Shetland Islands are located at {{coor dm|62|00|S|058|00|W|}}. They fall within the region 61° 00' - 63° 37' South, 53° 83' - 62° 83' West. The South Shetlands consist of 11 major islands and several minor ones, totalling 3687 square kilometres of land area. Between 80 and 90 percent of the land area is permanently glaciated. The highest point on the island chain is Mount Foster on Smith Island at 2105 metres above sea level.

Related Topics:
Southern Ocean - Antarctic Peninsula - Glaciated - Mount Foster - Smith Island

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The South Shetland Islands extend about 280 miles from Smith Island and Snow Island in the west-southwest to Elephant Island and Clarence Island in the east-northeast.

Related Topics:
Mile - Smith Island - Snow Island - West-southwest - Elephant Island - Clarence Island - East-northeast

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In 1818 Juan Pedro de Aguirre requested permission to the Argentine government to hunt in this archipelago, which he claimed to have already visited. Immediately after, he parted on board of the "Spiritu Santo". Upon arrival, his men settled a base on Deception Island.

Related Topics:
Juan Pedro de Aguirre - Argentine - Deception Island

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British explorer William Smith arrived to the islands on 19 February, 1819, while cruising close to the northern edge of the islands, and claimed in the name of King George III, disembarking on the largest of the South Shetlands, King George Island by the same man on 16 October that year. The islands were already claimed by Argentina, and are currently also claimed by Chile.

Related Topics:
British - William Smith - 19 February - 1819 - King George III - King George Island - 16 October - Argentina - Chile

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The name "New South Britain" was used briefly, but was soon changed to South Shetland Islands. The name South Shetland Islands is now established international usage.

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Seal hunting and whaling took place on the islands in the 19th and early 20th century, but the islands have only been occupied since the establishment of a scientific research station in 1944. A small amount of specialised tourism also takes place during summer.

Related Topics:
Seal hunting - Whaling - 19th - 20th - 1944 - Tourism

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From north to south the named islands of the South Shetlands are:

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• Cornwallis Island (minor)
• Elephant Island
• Clarence Island
• Rowett Island (minor)
• Gibbs Island
• King George Island (the largest, called May 25 island by Argentina)
• Bridgeman Island (minor)
• Penguin Island (minor - one of several Penguin Islands in the Antarctic region)
• Nelson Island
• Robert Island
• Greenwich Island
• Halfmoon Island (minor)
• Livingston Island
• Rugged Island (minor - one of several in the Antarctic region)
• Snow Island (one of several in the Antarctic region)
• Smith Island
• Deception Island
• Low Island
• Seal Island

Aitcho Islands is a group of small islands lying in the N entrance to English Strait (between Robert and Greenwich islands, being part of South Shetland Islands.

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South Shetland Islands: Law system ►