1991 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1991 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year, interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow
Coastline
undetermined
Comparative area
slightly larger than Rhode Island
Disputes
administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina
Environment
reindeer, introduced early in this century, live on South Georgia; weather conditions generally make it difficult to approach the South Sandwich Islands; the South Sandwich Islands are subject to active volcanism
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%; largely covered by permanent ice and snow with some sparse vegetation consisting of grass, moss, and lichen
Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural resources
fish
Note
the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage
Terrain
most of the islands, rising steeply from the sea, are rugged and mountainous; South Georgia is largely barren and has steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes
Total area
4,066 km2; land area: 4,066 km2; includes Shag and Clerke Rocks
People and Society
Population
no permanent population; there is a small military garrison on South Georgia and the British Antarctic Survey has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich islands are uninhabited
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town
Constitution
3 October 1985
Executive branch
British monarch, commissioner
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
none
Leaders
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Commissioner William Hugh FULLERTON (since 1988; resident at Stanley, Falkland Islands)
Legal system
English common law
Legislative branch
none
Long-form name
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (no short-form name)
National holiday
Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Economy
Budget
revenues $291,777; expenditures $451,011, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88 est.)
Electricity
900 kW capacity; 2 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1990)
Overview
Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. There is a potential source of income from harvesting fin fish and krill. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK.
Communications
Airports
5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m
Highways
NA
Ports
Grytviken on South Georgia
Telecommunications
coastal radio station at Grytviken; no broadcast stations
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK _%_