South Georgia

South Georgia, island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (a dependency of the United Kingdom), South Atlantic Ocean. The island, about 3,755 sq km (1,450 sq mi) in area and almost perpetually icebound, is south-east of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), of which it was a dependency until 1985; it also is claimed by Argentina. Mountainous throughout, the highest peak is Mount Paget, at 2,934 m (9,625 ft). Grytviken is the only village. The small civilian population is made up of scientists. Large numbers of seals live here, and South Georgia was formerly an important whaling base. The island was first visited by Captain James Cook, in 1775. The first crossing of the mountainous interior was by Sir Ernest Shackleton in 1916, after he and his companions had rowed from Elephant Island to seek help for their trans-Antarctic expedition that was stranded there. Shackleton was buried in Grytviken in 1922. Commercial whaling from the island ceased in 1965. South Georgia was briefly held by Argentine forces in 1982, during the Falklands Conflict.