Highlights - South Orkney Islands
Located more than 600 km north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Orkney Islands are home to "ends of the Earth landscapes", which travellers can explore during an Antarctic cruise. Learn five fun facts about these islands. The South Orkney Islands are...
Read more
Highlights - South Orkney Islands
Located more than 600 km north of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Orkney Islands are home to "ends of the Earth landscapes", which travellers can explore during an Antarctic cruise. Learn five fun facts about these islands. The South Orkney Islands are...
... Protected areas
Located below the 60th parallel south, the South Orkney Islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Antarctic Treaty. This protects them against any nuclear tests, radioactive waste disposal, exploitation of mineral resources, and military activities. No state may claim ownership of them. However, the United Kingdom and Argentina claim territoriality.
...A unique laboratory
Both countries have established scientific bases there. The Argentine base of Orcadas, located on Laurie Island, is the oldest. This weather and climate station has been in operation since 1904. On Signy Island, the British established the research station of the same name. Managed by the British Antarctic Survey, it conducts biological studies on birds and marine animals. There is also a scientific interest in the plant life during the summer. Some local mosses and grasses are believed to date back 4,500 years.
...A former whaling base
Seal and whale hunting wreaked havoc on these islands at the beginning of the 20th century, as they did particularly in South Georgia. The Norwegians had set up real processing plants there to yield whale oil, some remnants of which are still visible in Antarctica.
...A refuge for wildlife
Today, the area is nevertheless a refuge for leopard seals, which can be seen lounging on the beaches. Macaroni penguins, southern rockhoppers, and chinstrap penguins also find vast spaces suitable for all their land and underwater adventures.
...A tough climate
With 280 days of snowfall, 520 hours of sunshine per year, and strong winds, the climate of the South Orkney Islands is one of the harshest on the planet. Incidentally, 85% of the islands is covered by glaciers.
