The South Sandwich Islands
Location
The Islands lie 470km south east of South Georgia and 1,130 km
from the Antarctic Continent.
Size
A chain of 11 volcanic islands ranging in length from 1-28km.
The total land area of the Islands is 310 sq km.
Climate
The climate is wholly Antarctic.
Topography
The islands form a volcanic arc. The larger islands are covered
in ice year round; some of the smaller islands are ice-free in
summer.
Biodiversity
16 seabirds and several seal species breed on the islands. A
variety of bryophytes, lichens and hepatica grow but only one
species of vascular plant is recorded.
Main economic activities
Fisheries
Other information
Uninhabited. Some of the volcanoes are still active.