4The South Shetland Islands
The previously mentioned South Shetland Islands can be found just 75 miles north of the Antarctic Peninsula. They cover a total expanse of 1,424 square miles, including multiple volcanoes. The South Shetland Islands are the home of a number of different scientific research stations.
At one point there were no less than 16 of them. Most of them are located on King George Island. Ah, but these islands are a popular place to see seals and penguins as well.
The population here fluctuates from approximately 190 in the winter to 600 in the summer. Because the isles are mainly covered in ice, the 12+ islands are set foot upon by more cruise ship passengers than residents. Don’t miss historic Livingston Island, complete with 19th-century sites from back when Antarctica was a hub for seal-hunting.
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