South Shetland Islands: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The South Shetland Islands are a chain of islands in the Southern Ocean about 120 kilometers off the coast of Antarctica. 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 kilometers of land area. Between 80 and 90 percent of the land area is permenantly glaciated. The highest point on the island chain is Mount Foster on Smith Island at 2105 meters above sea level.

The islands were discovered by the British explorer William Smith on 19th February, 1819 and claimed in the name of King George III. The first landing on the islands was made on the largest of the South Shetlands, King George Island by the same man on 16th October that year. The islands are also claimed by Argentina and Chile.

Sealing 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.

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

A map of the South Shetland Islands

• Cornwallis Island (minor)
• Elephant Island
• Clarence Island
• Rowett Island (minor)
• Gibbs Island
• King George Island (the largest)
• 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

Some sources also list the Aitcho Islands as members of this group.