South Orkney Islands

Location: 60°30' to 60°50'S : 44°15' to 46°15'W The group consists of four major islands: Coronation, Signy, Powell and Laurie Islands, with several minor islands, offlying islets and rocks. Inaccessible Islands lie 30 km to the west and all are of sedimentary origin. They cover 622 km² with the highest elevation being Mt. Nivea, on Coronation Island, at 1265 m. The group is 85% glacierized. They were first sighted and landed upon by sealers in 1821. A permanent scientific station has been occupied since 1903. A whaling station operated at Signy Island between 1920 and 1926. Another disputed island group, the South Orkneys are claimed by the British as part of the British Antarctic Territory while Argentina claims them as part of Antártida Argentina. This category contains Internet sites that are about or located on the South Orkney Islands.