South Georgia

Location

An isolated sub-Antarctic island about 1,390km South East of the Falkland Islands and about 2,150km east of Tierra del Fuego. In addition to the main island there are smaller islands, islets and rocks.

Size

3,755 sq km

Climate

Surrounded by cold waters originating from the Antarctic, South Georgia has a harsher climate than expected for its latitude.

Topography 

Very mountainous, the island is formed of two mountain ranges. The main mountain range, the Allardyce Range, has its highest point at Mount Paget (2,934m). More than 50% of the island is covered by permanent ice with many large glaciers reaching the sea at the head of fjords.

Biodiversity

Despite a very limited number of flowering plants, there is great diversity in the mosses and lichens; many are found nowhere else in the world. Several seal species breed on the island and whales are frequently seen offshore. There are estimated to be more than 30 million birds on South Georgia. It is an important nesting site for the largest seabird in the world, the wandering albatross

Main economic activities 

Fisheries.  There is a developing tourism industry.

Other information 

South Georgia has no permanent population.