{"name": "South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands", "code": "SX", "publish_date": "November 16, 2018", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title soa_dark\"><strong>South America ::South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='sx'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>The islands, with large bird and seal populations, lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 - except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island.</div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='sx'>Geography ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>54 30 S, 37 00 W</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Antarctic Region</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3,903 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3,903 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>177</span></div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>slightly larger than Rhode Island</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">NA</span></div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">territorial sea:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exclusive fishing zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>most of the islands are rugged and mountainous rising steeply from the sea; South Georgia is largely barren with steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Atlantic Ocean</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">2934 highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia)</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>fish</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-use\">Land use:</div><div id=\"field-land-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agricultural land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">arable land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent crops:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent pasture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">forest:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">other:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">100%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011)</span></div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>reindeer - introduced to the islands in the 20th century - devastated the native flora and bird species; some reindeer were translocated to the Falkland Islands in 2001, the rest were exterminated (2013-14); a parallel effort (2010-15) eradicated rats and mice that came to the islands as stowaways on ships as early as the late 18th century</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='sx'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">no indigenous inhabitants</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001, replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited</p></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='sx'>Government ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">abbreviation:</span>SGSSI</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>South Georgia was named \"the Isle of Georgia\" in 1775 by Captain James COOK in honor of British King GEORGE III; the explorer also discovered the Sandwich Islands Group that year, which he named \"Sandwich Land\" after John MONTAGU, the Earl of Sandwich and First Lord of the Admiralty; the word \"South\" was later added to distinguish these islands from the other Sandwich Islands, now known as the Hawaiian Islands</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-dependency-status\">Dependency status:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-status\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legal-system\">Legal system:</div><div id=\"field-legal-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-organization-participation\">International organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>UPU</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\">Diplomatic representation in the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\"><div class=\"category_data note\">none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\">Diplomatic representation from the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\"><div class=\"category_data note\">none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina)</div></div><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-flag-description\">Flag description:</div><div id=\"field-flag-description\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion rampant, holding a torch; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a Macaroni penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the crest, and below the shield on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land); the lion with the torch represents the UK and discovery; the background of the shield, blue and white estoiles, are found in the coat of arms of James Cook, discoverer of the islands; all the outer supporting animals represented are native to the islands</div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='sx'>Economy ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. Harvesting finfish and krill are potential sources of income. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, the sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly.</div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='sx'>Communications ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='sx'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">major seaport(s):</span>Grytviken</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='sx'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-note\">Military - note:</div><div id=\"field-military-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>defense is the responsibility of the UK</div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question soa_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='sx'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category soa_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force</div></div></li></ul></div>"}