The South Shetland Islands are a frozen archipelago claimed by three competing nations

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located 120 kilometres north of the Antarctic Peninsula, this 3,687-square-kilometre island chain is a hub for international scientific research. Though claimed by the United Kingdom, Chile, and Argentina, the islands remain under the Antarctic Treaty, which keeps sovereignty disputes in check while prioritizing peace and scientific exploration.

Discovered by British mariner William Smith in 1819, the South Shetland Islands were quickly identified as a resource-rich frontier. Smith’s sighting of Livingston Island marked the first land discovered south of 60° latitude. By the end of 1819, the region had already attracted British and American sealers, leading to a century of intensive hunting. Between 1820 and 1908, nearly 200 vessels visited the archipelago, leaving behind relics like iron try pots and hut ruins. The islands also hold the distinction of hosting the first human wintering in Antarctica, when 11 British men were stranded on King George Island in 1820.

The archipelago consists of 11 major islands, with King George Island serving as the primary site for modern research. Today, 16 research stations operate across the islands, with Chile maintaining the largest presence. The landscape is dominated by extreme conditions; between 80% and 90% of the land is permanently glaciated, and the surrounding seas are ice-locked from April through December. Despite the harsh climate, the islands support a unique tundra ecosystem of mosses, lichens, and the southernmost flying insect, Parochlus steinenii.

Geologically, the islands are defined by Quaternary volcanic activity linked to the Bransfield Rift. Peaks like Mount Foster on Smith Island reach over 2,000 metres, while Deception Island features distinct volcanic rock compositions compared to the rest of the chain. While sovereignty claims by the UK, Chile, and Argentina persist, they remain unrecognized under the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. This international framework ensures the islands serve as a protected space for science, far removed from the geopolitical tensions of the northern hemisphere.

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