South Orkney Islands

The South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, near Antarctica. They are about 600 kilometers (370 miles) northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula.Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent p. 122 , David McGonigal, 2009 and 844 kilometers (524 miles) southwest of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

 Geography 
The South Orkney Islands are mostly covered by ice and have cold weather all year. The biggest islands are:
 Coronation Island – the largest island
 Laurie Island – where there is a research station

There are many smaller islands and rocks around them.

 History 
The islands were discovered in 1821 by two sealers, Nathaniel Palmer from the United States and George Powell from Britain. They were first used by sealers and later by scientists. In 1904, a weather station was built on Laurie Island by Scotland. Later, it was given to Argentina, which still uses it today.

 Research Stations 
There are two main research stations:
 Orcadas Station (Argentina) – on Laurie Island, open all year
 Signy Station (United Kingdom) – on Signy Island, open in summer

These stations study weather, animals, ice, and the environment.

 Politics 
The South Orkney Islands are claimed by both the United Kingdom and Argentina. But under the Antarctic Treaty, no country owns the land. The treaty says Antarctica is only for peaceful and scientific use.

 Nature 
The islands have many kinds of birds, such as penguins and petrels. There are also seals and some small plants like moss and lichens.

Category:Antarctica
Category:Southern Ocean
Category:South Orkney Islands
Category:Archipelagoes of the Southern Ocean