page_title: South Shetland Islands
hierarchical_section_title: South Shetland Islands
caption_attribution_description: English: 1822 chart of the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands, Antarctica by George Powell (fragment)
context_page_description: The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands with a total area of 3,687 square kilometres. They lie about 120 kilometres north of the Antarctic Peninsula, and between 430 kilometres to 900 kilometres south-west from the nearest point of the South Orkney Islands. By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for non-military purposes.
  The islands have been claimed by the United Kingdom since 1908 and as part of the British Antarctic Territory since 1962. They are also claimed by the governments of Chile and by Argentina.
  Several countries maintain research stations on the islands. Most of them are situated on King George Island, benefitting from the airfield of the Chilean base Eduardo Frei.
  There are sixteen research stations to date in different parts of the islands, with Chilean stations being the greatest in number.
context_section_description: The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands with a total area of 3,687 square kilometres (1,424 sq mi). They lie about 120 kilometres (75 mi) north of the Antarctic Peninsula, and between 430 kilometres (270 mi) to 900 kilometres (560 mi) south-west from the nearest point of the South Orkney Islands. By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for non-military purposes.
  The islands have been claimed by the United Kingdom since 1908 and as part of the British Antarctic Territory since 1962. They are also claimed by the governments of Chile (since 1940, as part of the Antártica Chilena province) and by Argentina (since 1943, as part of Argentine Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego Province).
  Several countries maintain research stations on the islands. Most of them are situated on King George Island, benefitting from the airfield of the Chilean base Eduardo Frei.
  There are sixteen research stations to date in different parts of the islands, with Chilean stations being the greatest in number.
caption: Fragment of George Powell's 1822 chart of the South Shetland Islands
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