South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean. 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. The territory is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom, and has an area of 3,903 square kilometers. The South Georgia Islands were first discovered in 1775 by a British explorer named James Cook. The islands were then claimed by the United Kingdom in 1775 and became a part of the colony of Georgia. In 1882, the UK established a permanent base on the island of South Georgia, which became the center of British operations in the South Atlantic. The South Sandwich Islands were annexed by the UK in 1908. The territory is home to a variety of wildlife, including penguins, seals, and birds. The economy of the territory is based on fishing and tourism. The population of the territory is just over 30,000, most of whom live on the island of South Georgia. The capital and largest settlement is King Edward Point. Other settlements include Grytviken, Husvik, and Cumberland Bay. The climate of the South Georgia Islands is cool and wet, with average temperatures ranging from 0-5 degrees Celsius. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with glaciers and snow-capped peaks. The South Georgia Islands are a beautiful but remote destination. The islands offer an array of wildlife and natural scenery, as well as a glimpse into the history of Antarctic exploration.