South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands
(overseas territory of the UK,
also claimed by Argentina)
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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, 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, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island. Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting finfish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Source: The Places Factbook, CIA. |
The
islands, which have large bird and seal populations, 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.