South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Environment - 2024

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES 

Environment - current issues

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

Climate

variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow

Land use

other: 100% (2018 est.)

NOTE: The information regarding South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands on this page is re-published from the 2024 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and other sources. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 2024 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 2024 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.