South Shetland Islands |
|
Location of Smith Island |
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Archipelago | South Shetland Islands |
| Area | 148 km2 (57.1 sq mi) |
| Length | 20 mi (30 km) |
| Width | 5 mi (8 km) |
| Highest elevation | 2,105 m (6,906 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Foster |
| Country | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Additional information | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
Smith Island () is 20 miles (32 km) long and 5 miles (8.0 km) wide, lying 45 miles (72 km) west of Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands of the British Antarctic Territory. Surface area 148 square kilometres (57 sq mi).[1]
The discovery of the South Shetland Islands was first reported in 1819 by Capt. William Smith, for whom the island is named. This island was known to both American and British sealers as early as 1820, and the name Smith has been well established in international usage for over 100 years, although in Russian literature it is often referred to as Borodino Island, sometimes marked as Borodino (Smith) Island.
The island hosts no research stations or camps, and is seldom visited by scientists or mountaineers. Its interior is entirelly occupied by Imeon Range rising to 2,105 m (6,906 ft) (Mount Foster). The first detailed topographic mapping of the island was made by the Antarctic Place-names Commission and the Military Topographic Service of the Bulgarian Army and published in 2009[1] in both English and Bulgarian.
