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South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are primarily known for their extensive permanent human settlements and scheduled air travel connections.
Answer: False
Explanation: The territory is characterized as remote and inhospitable, with no permanent human settlements on the South Sandwich Islands and only a very small, non-permanent population on South Georgia. Access is exclusively by sea, with no scheduled air travel or ferry connections.
Mount Paget is the highest point in the South Sandwich Islands, known for its persistent lava lake.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mount Paget is the highest point in South Georgia, not the South Sandwich Islands. The persistent lava lake is found on Mount Michael, Saunders Island, in the South Sandwich Islands.
The climate of South Georgia is classified as tropical, with high temperatures year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons.
Answer: False
Explanation: The climate of South Georgia is classified as polar, specifically a tundra climate, characterized by low temperatures and precipitation often falling as sleet or snow, not tropical.
The eastern, leeward side of South Georgia generally experiences a more pleasant climate due to the prevailing westerly winds and the Allardyce Range breaking up cloud cover.
Answer: True
Explanation: The eastern, leeward side of South Georgia experiences a more pleasant climate because the prevailing westerly winds and the Allardyce Range break up cloud cover, leading to lower insolation on the western side.
The Falkland Islands are located approximately 700 kilometers to the west of the nearest point of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Falkland Islands are located approximately 1,300 kilometers to the west of the nearest point of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, not 700 kilometers.
Which of the following is the highest point in South Georgia Island?
Answer: Mount Paget
Explanation: Mount Paget, located in the Allardyce Range, is the highest point on South Georgia Island, standing at 2,934 meters.
What unique geological feature is present on Mount Michael, Saunders Island, in the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: A persistent lava lake.
Explanation: Mount Michael on Saunders Island in the South Sandwich Islands is notable for having a persistent lava lake, a rare geological phenomenon.
What is the Köppen climate classification for South Georgia?
Answer: Polar climate (tundra)
Explanation: The climate of South Georgia is classified as polar, specifically a tundra climate, according to the Köppen climate classification.
How do sea temperatures around South Georgia typically behave throughout the year?
Answer: They drop to 0°C in late August and rise to around 4°C in early April.
Explanation: Sea temperatures around South Georgia typically drop to 0°C (32°F) in late August and rise to around 4°C (39.2°F) in early April.
What is the total land area of the South Georgia Group, excluding the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: 3,756 square kilometers
Explanation: The South Georgia Group, including its satellite islands but excluding the South Sandwich Islands, has a total land area of 3,756 square kilometers.
What is the approximate annual precipitation in South Georgia?
Answer: 1,500 mm
Explanation: Annual precipitation in South Georgia is approximately 1,500 mm (59.1 inches).
What is the total land area of the entire South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands territory?
Answer: 3,903 square kilometers
Explanation: The total land area of the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands territory is 3,903 square kilometers.
What is the approximate length of South Georgia, the largest island in the territory?
Answer: 165 kilometers
Explanation: South Georgia, the largest island in the territory, measures 165 kilometers long.
What is the southernmost land on Earth that lies outside the area covered by the Antarctic Treaty?
Answer: Southern Thule
Explanation: Southern Thule, located at the southern end of the South Sandwich Islands chain, is the southernmost land on Earth that lies outside the area covered by the Antarctic Treaty.
What is the average annual sunshine hours for Grytviken/King Edward Point, South Georgia, based on historical data?
Answer: 1,282 hours
Explanation: Based on historical data, the average annual sunshine hours for Grytviken/King Edward Point, South Georgia, are 1,282 hours.
What is the approximate distance of the Falkland Islands from the nearest point of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: 1,300 kilometers
Explanation: The Falkland Islands are situated approximately 1,300 kilometers to the west of the nearest point of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
What is the primary characteristic of the South Sandwich Islands' geological composition?
Answer: They are mostly volcanic islands, some with active volcanoes.
Explanation: The South Sandwich Islands consist of 11 mostly volcanic islands, some of which have active volcanoes.
What is the northernmost point of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: Cape North
Explanation: The northernmost point of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is Cape North.
The United Kingdom claimed sovereignty over South Georgia in 1775, but the South Sandwich Islands were not claimed until the early 20th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The United Kingdom claimed sovereignty over South Georgia in 1775, while the South Sandwich Islands were claimed later in 1908.
Anthony de la Roché, a French explorer, was the first European to sight and visit South Georgia in the late 17th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Anthony de la Roché was a London merchant of English nationality, not French, and he sighted and visited South Georgia in April 1675.
James Cook circumnavigated South Georgia in 1775 and named it the 'Isle of Georgia' in honor of King George III after making the first landing.
Answer: True
Explanation: James Cook circumnavigated South Georgia in 1775, made the first landing, and named it the 'Isle of Georgia' in honor of King George III.
The German expedition to South Georgia in 1882-1883 primarily focused on establishing a permanent scientific research station for long-term climate studies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The German expedition to South Georgia in 1882-1883 focused on observing the transit of Venus and recording waves from the Krakatoa eruption, not establishing a permanent climate research station.
Ernest Shackleton died and was buried at Grytviken, South Georgia, after his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ernest Shackleton died in January 1922 during a later expedition and is buried at Grytviken, South Georgia.
The South Sandwich Islands were entirely discovered and named by Captain James Cook in 1775.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Captain James Cook discovered the southern eight islands of the South Sandwich Group in 1775, Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen discovered the northern three islands in 1819 and established their status as separate islands in 1820.
When did the territory officially named 'South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands' come into existence as a separate entity?
Answer: 1985
Explanation: The territory officially named 'South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands' was formed in 1985, ceasing to be administered as a Falkland Islands Dependency.
Who was the London merchant of English nationality credited with the first sighting and visit to South Georgia?
Answer: Anthony de la Roché
Explanation: Anthony de la Roché, a London merchant of English nationality, was the first person to sight and visit South Georgia in April 1675.
What was the primary purpose of the German expedition that established a base at Royal Bay on South Georgia in 1882-1883?
Answer: To observe the transit of Venus and record Krakatoa waves.
Explanation: The German expedition to South Georgia in 1882-1883 established a base at Royal Bay primarily to observe the transit of Venus and record waves from the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.
What significant event involving Ernest Shackleton occurred at Stromness whaling station in 1916?
Answer: He arrived there after traversing the island's mountainous spine to seek help for his stranded crew.
Explanation: In 1916, Ernest Shackleton arrived at Stromness whaling station after traversing South Georgia's mountainous spine to seek help for his stranded Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition crew.
Which of the following placename examples in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is explicitly stated to have Russian influence?
Answer: Traversay Islands
Explanation: The Traversay Islands are explicitly mentioned as having Russian influence, named by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen.
When did Argentina first claim sovereignty over South Georgia?
Answer: 1927
Explanation: Argentina first claimed sovereignty over South Georgia in 1927.
The first land-based whaling station in South Georgia, Grytviken, was established by a British company in 1904.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first land-based whaling station at Grytviken was established in 1904 by Carl Anton Larsen, a Norwegian, operating through his Argentine Fishing Company, not a British company.
Who established the first land-based whaling station and permanent habitation at Grytviken in 1904?
Answer: Carl Anton Larsen
Explanation: Carl Anton Larsen, a Norwegian operating through his Argentine Fishing Company, established the first land-based whaling station and permanent habitation at Grytviken in 1904.
What was the purpose of the Argentine Meteorological Office's collaboration at Grytviken from 1905 to 1949?
Answer: To fulfill British lease requirements for the whaling station.
Explanation: The Argentine Meteorological Office collaborated at Grytviken from 1905 to 1949 to maintain a meteorological observatory, fulfilling British lease requirements for the whaling station.
The motto of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, 'Leo terram propriam protegat,' translates to 'May the lion protect his own land'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The motto of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is 'Leo terram propriam protegat,' which translates to 'May the lion protect his own land'.
The Commissioner of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a separate appointment from the Governor of the Falkland Islands.
Answer: False
Explanation: The position of Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is held by the Governor of the Falkland Islands, meaning it is not a separate appointment.
The primary source of revenue for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is tourism, followed by the sale of postage stamps.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary source of revenue for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is fishing licences, accounting for 80% of its income, with tourism and postage stamps being other sources.
The Internet country code top-level domain for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is .sg.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is .gs, not .sg.
What is the primary means of access for visitors to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: Exclusively by sea, primarily via cruise liners.
Explanation: Access to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is exclusively by sea, with no scheduled passenger flights or ferries, and visits by cruise liners are increasingly popular.
What is the Latin motto of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: "Leo terram propriam protegat"
Explanation: The Latin motto of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is 'Leo terram propriam protegat,' meaning 'May the lion protect his own land'.
Who holds the position of Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: The Governor of the Falkland Islands.
Explanation: The position of Commissioner for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is held by the Governor of the Falkland Islands.
What is the primary source of revenue for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, accounting for 80% of its income?
Answer: Fishing licences.
Explanation: Fishing licences are the primary source of revenue for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, accounting for 80% of its income.
What is the significance of "Toothfish Day" in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: It is a bank holiday recognizing the vital importance of toothfish to the islands' economy.
Explanation: Toothfish Day is a bank holiday celebrated on September 4 in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, recognizing the vital importance of toothfish to the islands' economy.
What was the main reason there is no legislative council or need for elections in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: There are no permanent inhabitants residing on the islands.
Explanation: There is no legislative council or need for elections in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands because there are no permanent inhabitants residing on the islands.
What is the official currency of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: Pound sterling
Explanation: The official currency of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is the pound sterling, with the Falkland Islands pound also in use.
What is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: .gs
Explanation: The Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is .gs.
What was the outcome of the legal challenges between 2001 and 2005 regarding the FCDO's role in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: It was held that the FCDO acts as an agent of the Crown in right of SGSSI, not the UK, and its decisions could not be challenged as UK government decisions.
Explanation: Legal challenges between 2001 and 2005 determined that the FCDO acts as an agent of the Crown in right of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, meaning its decisions could not be challenged as UK government decisions, and the European Convention on Human Rights did not apply.
Argentina's claim over South Georgia was a direct cause of the Falklands War, leading to a prolonged occupation of the island by Argentine forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: Argentina's claim over South Georgia was a *contributing factor* to the Falklands War, not necessarily a direct cause, and Argentine forces only *briefly* occupied the island before it was recaptured by British forces.
During World War II, shore guns were installed in South Georgia and operated by British military personnel to protect key bays.
Answer: False
Explanation: During World War II, shore guns were installed in South Georgia and operated by volunteers from among the Norwegian whalers, not British military personnel.
The Falklands War was directly triggered by the occupation of King Edward Point by Argentine forces on March 19, 1982.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Falklands War was precipitated by the occupation of the abandoned whaling station at Leith Harbour by a group of Argentinians on March 19, 1982, followed by an attack and occupation of Grytviken on April 3, not specifically King Edward Point.
After the Falklands War, a full-time British military presence was maintained at King Edward Point until 2010, when it was fully civilianized.
Answer: False
Explanation: A full-time British military presence was maintained at King Edward Point after the Falklands War but was scaled down and fully civilianized in March 2001, not 2010.
What was the role of Alfredo Astiz during the Argentine occupation of Grytviken in 1982?
Answer: He was a commanding officer of the Argentine garrison.
Explanation: Alfredo Astiz was a captain in the Argentine Navy and one of the commanding officers of the Argentine garrison during the occupation of Grytviken in 1982.
Which of the following statements accurately describes Argentina's presence on Thule Island in the South Sandwich Islands prior to the Falklands War?
Answer: Argentina established a summer station in 1955 and a naval base (Corbeta Uruguay) from 1976 to 1982.
Explanation: Argentina maintained a summer station 'Teniente Esquivel' from 1955 to 1956 and a naval base 'Corbeta Uruguay' from 1976 to 1982 on Thule Island.
Which of the following British military facilities is NOT located on the Falkland Islands?
Answer: King Edward Point military garrison (after 2001)
Explanation: RAF Mount Pleasant, Mare Harbour naval base, and RRH Mount Kent are all located on the Falkland Islands. King Edward Point, while having a military history, is located on South Georgia and reverted to civilian use in 2001.
What was the fate of HMS Endurance, the Royal Navy ice-patrol ship, after its near loss in 2008?
Answer: A Norwegian icebreaker, HMS Protector, was chartered and later purchased as its replacement, and HMS Endurance was sold for scrap.
Explanation: After its near loss in 2008, HMS Endurance was replaced by the chartered and later purchased Norwegian icebreaker HMS Protector, while HMS Endurance itself was sold for scrap.
What is the current status of the King Edward Point base after the Falklands War?
Answer: It reverted to civilian use and is operated by the British Antarctic Survey.
Explanation: After serving as a military garrison following the Falklands War, the King Edward Point base reverted to civilian use in 2001 and is now operated as a research facility by the British Antarctic Survey.
When was South Georgia recaptured by British forces during the Falklands War?
Answer: April 25, 1982
Explanation: South Georgia was recaptured by British forces on April 25, 1982, as part of Operation Paraquet during the Falklands War.
What was the primary reason for the Royal Navy deploying an armed merchant vessel and installing shore guns in South Georgia during World War II?
Answer: To defend against potential German raiders.
Explanation: During World War II, the Royal Navy deployed an armed merchant vessel and installed shore guns in South Georgia primarily to defend against potential German raiders.
What was the name of the Argentine naval station established on Thule Island from 1976 until 1982?
Answer: Corbeta Uruguay
Explanation: The Argentine naval station established on Thule Island from 1976 until 1982 was named Corbeta Uruguay.
What is the significance of the four genuine first day cover sets from March 16, 1982?
Answer: They are rare because they were saved from being burned during the Falklands War.
Explanation: The four genuine first day cover sets from March 16, 1982, are rare because they were saved from being burned during the Falklands War.
What is the current status of the British Antarctic Survey's operation at King Edward Point?
Answer: It is a civilian research facility operated by the British Antarctic Survey.
Explanation: The King Edward Point base, after serving as a military garrison, reverted to civilian use in 2001 and is now operated as a research facility by the British Antarctic Survey.
South Georgia has no native land mammals, but introduced rats have significantly impacted ground-nesting bird populations.
Answer: True
Explanation: South Georgia has no native land mammals, and introduced rats have indeed caused significant damage to native wildlife, particularly ground-nesting bird populations.
Reindeer were introduced to South Georgia for conservation purposes, but their population was later culled due to disease.
Answer: False
Explanation: Reindeer were introduced to South Georgia by Norwegian whalers for meat and sport hunting, not for conservation purposes. Their population was culled due to their detrimental effect on native species and the threat of their spread, not disease.
The South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area covers a vast region of 1.07 million square kilometers to protect its high marine biodiversity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area was created in 2012 and covers 1.07 million square kilometers to protect the region's high marine biodiversity.
The South Georgia pipit is one of the bird species unique to the South Georgia archipelago.
Answer: True
Explanation: The South Georgia pipit is indeed listed as one of the bird species unique to the South Georgia archipelago.
The largest plant native to South Georgia is the tussock grass, which can grow up to 2 meters tall.
Answer: True
Explanation: The largest native vascular plant species found in South Georgia is the tussock grass (Poa flabellata), which can grow up to 2 meters tall.
What is the largest native vascular plant species found in South Georgia?
Answer: Tussock grass (Poa flabellata)
Explanation: The largest native vascular plant species found in South Georgia is the tussock grass (Poa flabellata), which can grow up to 2 meters tall.
What was the primary reason for the complete cull of reindeer introduced to South Georgia?
Answer: They had a detrimental effect on native species and posed a threat of spread.
Explanation: Reindeer were culled from South Georgia due to their detrimental effect on native species and the threat of their spread, not due to disease or population size alone.
What significant conservation measure was implemented in 2012 to protect the marine biodiversity around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands?
Answer: The establishment of a large Marine Protected Area.
Explanation: In 2012, the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area was created to protect the region's rich marine biodiversity.
Which of the following is NOT a native vascular plant species found in South Georgia?
Answer: Dandelion
Explanation: Tussock grass, Alpine cat's-tail, and greater burnet are listed as native vascular plant species. Dandelions are mentioned as an introduced species.
Which of the following bird species is unique to the South Georgia archipelago?
Answer: South Georgia Pipit
Explanation: The South Georgia Pipit is one of the bird species explicitly identified as unique to the South Georgia archipelago.
According to the 2009-2011 study, how does the marine biodiversity around South Georgia compare to other Earth ecosystems?
Answer: It contains one of the highest levels of biodiversity, surpassing well-known regions like the Galápagos.
Explanation: A 2009-2011 study revealed that the marine biodiversity around South Georgia is among the highest on Earth, surpassing regions like the Galápagos.
Which of the following is NOT an introduced mammal species found in South Georgia?
Answer: Seals
Explanation: Reindeer, brown rats, and mice are listed as introduced mammals. Seals frequent the islands but are not introduced land mammals.
What is the total number of known native vascular plant species found in South Georgia?
Answer: 26
Explanation: There are 26 known species of native vascular plants found in South Georgia.
What is the significance of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands being identified as Important Bird Areas (IBA) by BirdLife International?
Answer: It highlights their importance for bird conservation.
Explanation: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBA) by BirdLife International, signifying their critical importance for bird conservation.