SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK)
GEOGRAPHY
Total area: 4,066 km2; land area: 4,066 km2; includes Shag and
Clerke Rocks
Comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: undetermined
Maritime claims:
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the
year, interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls
as snow
Terrain: most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are
rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep,
glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic
origin with some active volcanoes
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and
pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; largely covered
by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of
grass, moss, and lichen
Environment: reindeer, introduced early in this century, live
on South Georgia; weather conditions generally make it difficult to
approach the South Sandwich Islands; the South Sandwich Islands are
subject to active volcanism
Note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays,
which provide good anchorage
PEOPLE
Population: no permanent population; there is a small military
garrison on South Georgia and the British Antarctic Survey has a
biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich islands are
uninhabited
GOVERNMENT
Long-form name: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (no
short-form name)
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution: 3 October 1985
Legal system: English common law
National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Executive branch: British monarch, commissioner
Legislative branch: none
Judicial branch: none
Leaders:
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Commissioner William Hugh FULLERTON (since 1988; resident
at Stanley, Falkland Islands)
ECONOMY
Overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is
a potential source of income from harvesting fin fish and krill. The
islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK.
Budget: revenues $291,777; expenditures $451,011, including
capital expenditures of $NA (FY88 est.)
Electricity: 900 kW capacity; 2 million kWh produced, NA kWh per
capita (1990)
COMMUNICATIONS
Highways: NA
Ports: Grytviken on South Georgia
Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways;
1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m
Telecommunications: coastal radio station at Grytviken; no
broadcast stations
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
