South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Travel Guide

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are largely barren, rugged and covered with steep glacier cloaked mountains. Grytviken, the only village on South Georgia, contains the final resting place of Ernest Shackleton, a famed explorer who tried to cross Antarctica by foot. The population is sparse, with few permanent residents comprised primarily of scientists, seals, and seabirds.  Though reindeer, an introduced species, are also inhabitants. A popular stopover destination for cruises, there are large colonies of King Penguins to observe. The stormy seas that surround the region also host a number of whales.  Not surpsingly, South Georgia has strong historical links to whaling. While on South Georgia, consider visiting the reclamation site, which marks the original settlement on the island.