SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 4,066 km2; land area: 4,066 km2; includes Shag and Clerke Rocks Comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: none Coastline: undetermined Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina 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, 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 Natural resources: fish 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 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 Note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage PEOPLE 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 Long-form name: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (no short-form name) Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Grytviken on South Georgia is the garrison town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Executive branch: British monarch, commissioner Legislative branch: none 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) ECONOMY 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. 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) COMMUNICATIONS Highways: NA Ports: Grytviken on South Georgia Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: coastal radio station at Grytviken; no broadcast stations DEFENSE FORCES Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK