Who owns South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?

The United Kingdom claimed sovereignty over South Georgia in 1775 and the South Sandwich Islands in 1908. The territory of "South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands" was formed in 1985; previously, it had been governed as part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies.

What is the ccTLD for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?

The Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is .gs. The parts of the islands that are not permanently covered in snow or ice are part of the Scotia Sea Islands tundra ecoregion.

What happened to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?

In 1985, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ceased to be administered as a Falkland Islands Dependency and became a separate territory. The King Edward Point base, which had become a small military garrison after the Falklands War, returned to civilian use in 2001 and is now operated by the British Antarctic Survey.

Is South Georgia a small island?

It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands, consisting of South Georgia and a chain of smaller islands known as the South Sandwich Islands. South Georgia is 165 kilometres (103 mi) long and 35 kilometres (22 mi) wide and is by far the largest island in the territory.

Are South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands mountainous?

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are a collection of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous. At higher elevations, the islands are permanently covered with ice and snow.

How big is South Georgia Island?

South Georgia Island lies at 54°15′S 36°45′W and has an area of 3,528 square kilometres (1,362 sq mi). It is mountainous and largely barren. Eleven peaks rise to over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high, their slopes furrowed with deep gorges filled with glaciers; the largest is Fortuna Glacier.