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The South Shetlands consist of 11 major islands and several minor ones, totalling 3687 square kilometers of land area. Between 80 and 90 percent of the land area is permenantly glaciated. The highest point on the island chain is Mount Foster on Smith Island at 2105 meters above sea level.
The islands were discovered by the British explorer William Smith on 19th February, 1819 and claimed in the name of King George III. The first landing on the islands was made on the largest of the South Shetlands, King George Island by the same man on 16th October that year. The islands are also claimed by Argentina and Chile.
Sealing and whaling took place on the islands in the 19th and early 20th19th century 20th century 21st century more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901- 2000 in the sense of the Gre century, but the islands have only been occupied since the establishment of a scientific research station in 1944Events World War II January January 4 The Battle of Monte Cassino begins. January 5 Murder of Danish playwright Kaj Munck January 17 British forces, in Italy, cross the Garigliano River. January 20 The Royal Air Force drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin;. A small amount of specialised tourismTourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. A tourist is someone who travels at least fifty miles from home, as defined by the World Tourism Organization (a United Nations body). also takes place during summer.From north to south the named islands of the South Shetlands are:
Some sources also list the Aitcho Islands as members of this group.