The Orkneys islands of the South are a group of small antarctic islands pertaining to small a Archipel located in the Antarctic Ocean.

Being located more at the South of the 60 {{E}} parallel south, the Orkneys islands of the South fall under the Traité from the Antarctic which does not suspend any sovereignty on them. They nevertheless are asserted by the the United Kingdom (like part of the British Territoire of the Antarctic) and the Argentine (like part of the the Antarctic Argentina).

These islands were discovered in February 1819 by James Weddell (British navigator), then in December 1821 by George Powell (whaler British) and Nathaniel Palmer (American whaler).

Description

This archipelago consists of four principal islands: Coronation, Signy, Powell, Laurie.

A scientific station was built there and there is small human presence since 1903.

Geography

Antarctic islands (in the south of the Atlantic Ocean) Position: 60°30' with 60°83' S - 44°15' with 46°25°W Surface: 622 km ² Culminating point: Nivea mount - island Coronation (1266 m) Environment: Covered grounds with 85% by the glaciers. Islands of sedimentary origin. Foreign names: South Orkney Islands (English)

Penguins:

• Penguin with chin-strap

• Penguin papou
• Gorfou macaroni

Island Coronation

Position: 60°40' S - 45°10' O with 46°10' O Surface: 600 km ² Culminating point: 1245 m Discovered: In February 1819 by James Weddell (navigator?) then in December 1821 by George Powell (British whaler) and Nathaniel Micrometer caliper (American whaler).

Origin of the name: In remembering the crowning of the king George III

Islands Signy

This island accommodated a station whale-boat of 1920 to 1926. Position: 60°43' S - 45°36' O

Island Powell

Origin of the name: In homage to George Powell (British whaler) who recognized this island in 1821.

Island Laurie

Island Larsen

Position: 68°30' S - 62°30' O Surface: 600 km ² Culminating point: 1245 m Origin of the name: In homage to Carl Anton Larsen (Norwegian navigator).

Island Robertson

Origin of the name: in homage to MacPherson Robertson (Australian which financed polar forwardings of Mawson).