King Edward Point


King Edward Point is a permanent British Antarctic Survey research station on South Georgia island and is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. It is situated in Cumberland East Bay on the northeastern coast of the island. The settlement is the second smallest capital in the world by population, after Ngerulmud in Palau.

History

King Edward Point was named in honour of King Edward VII. Grytviken is nearby and was named after sealers' trywork. Both of these are along the King Edward Cove.
The Post Office in King Edward Point was established in 1909, and has been in operation since then with the exception of the Falklands War. The oldest building in King Edward Point is the customs warehouse and jail built in 1914.
Discovery House, a prefabricated laboratory, was established in 1925, and used by biologists collecting specimens from whale carcasses for six years. In 1929, Discovery II was opened for use in oceanographic study.
Argentine soldiers arrived near King Edward Point on 24 March 1982, and occupied it on 3 April. The British retook King Edward Point in late April.

Environment

and fur seals inhabit the area. Cats were brought to King Edward Point, but the last one died in 1980.

Climate

King Edward Point and Grytviken have a tundra climate '' with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. The highest temperature ever recorded at Grytviken/King Edward Point was on 10 March 1922.

Works cited

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