South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Index

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Geography - 2023

SOURCE: 2023 CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

Location

Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America

total: 3,903 sq km

land: 3,903 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

N/A

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Elevation

highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

fish

Land use

other: 100% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2022)

Natural hazards

the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism

Geography - note

the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage

NOTE: The information regarding South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands on this page is re-published from the 2023 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 2023 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands 2023 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page.