South Shetland Islands

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The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands lying about 120 kilometers (75 mi) north of the Antarctic Peninsula with a total area of 3,687 square kilometers (1,424 sq mi). By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for non-military purposes.

The islands have been claimed by the United Kingdom since 1908 and have been part of the British Antarctic Territory since 1962. They are also claimed by the governments of Chile (since 1940, as part of the Antártica Chilena province) and by Argentina (since 1943, as part of Argentine Antarctica, Tierra del Fuego Province).

Several countries maintain research stations on the islands. Most of them are situated on King George Island, benefiting from the airfield of the Chilean base Eduardo Frei.