Alcock Island facts for kids
 Alcock Island
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 64°14′S 61°8′W / 64.233°S 61.133°W |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Alcock Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the cold waters of Antarctica. It's a part of the Antarctic Treaty System, which means it's used for peaceful scientific research and has no single country owning it. This island is named after a famous pilot, Sir John Alcock.
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What is Alcock Island?
Alcock Island is an island found off the west coast of Graham Land in Antarctica. It lies to the west of a place called Charles Point, within a larger area known as Hughes Bay. Because it's in Antarctica, the island is very cold and covered in ice for much of the year. No people live on Alcock Island permanently.
Where is Alcock Island Located?
Alcock Island is situated in the vast continent of Antarctica. Specifically, it's off the coast of Graham Land, which is the part of Antarctica closest to South America. Its exact spot is in Hughes Bay, a large inlet on the west side of Graham Land. The island is quite remote and surrounded by icy waters.
Who Was Sir John Alcock?
Alcock Island is named after Sir John W. Alcock (1892–1919). He was a brave British pilot. In 1919, he became famous for a truly amazing feat. Along with Sir Arthur Whitten Brown, he made the very first nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. This incredible journey happened on June 14–15, 1919. Naming the island after him honors his pioneering spirit in aviation.
Why the Name Change?
Interestingly, Alcock Island wasn't always called that. In 1922, whalers working in the area used to call it Penguin Island. However, this name was never officially put on maps. Also, there was already another island called Penguin Island in the nearby South Shetland Islands. To avoid confusion and to give it a unique name, the name Penguin Island was dropped. A new name, Alcock Island, was then chosen to honor the famous aviator.
