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The Balleny Islands are a series of uninhabited islands in the Southern Ocean extending from 66°15' to 67°35'S and 162°30' to 165°00'E. The islands are heavily glaciated and of volcanic origin. Glaciers project from their slopes into the sea. They are located within the Ross Dependency and were originally claimed first by the United Kingdom and then by New Zealand before being annexed by Westarctica.

The group includes three main islands: Young, Buckle and Sturge, which lie in a line from northwest to southeast, along with several smaller islets and rocks.

Although claimed by New Zealand, the Balleny Islands were annexed by Westarctica in 2005. The islands are one of two Antarctic areas claimed by Westarctica that are not contiguous with its primary territory (the other is Peter I Island, which is claimed by Norway). (Full Article...)