Halfway Island (Palmer Archipelago) facts for kids
Location in Antarctica
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Geography | |
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Location | Antarctica |
Coordinates | 64°45′S 64°12′W / 64.750°S 64.200°W |
Archipelago | Palmer Archipelago |
Administration | |
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
Demographics | |
Population | Uninhabited |
Halfway Island is a small island located in the icy waters of Antarctica. It is part of the Palmer Archipelago, a group of islands found off the southwest coast of Anvers Island. This island is about 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 kilometres) northwest of Litchfield Island.
Why is it Called Halfway Island?
The name "Halfway Island" is quite fitting! It got its name because of its location. The island sits exactly halfway between two important places: Arthur Harbor and Cape Monaco.
People from the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS) often traveled by boat between these two spots. Their main base, the Arthur Harbor station, was near one end of this route. Since the island was right in the middle, it became known as Halfway Island.
Exploring Halfway Island
Scientists and explorers have visited Halfway Island. The British Naval Hydrographic Survey Unit mapped and studied the island. They did this important work between 1956 and 1957. Surveys like this help us understand the geography of remote places like Antarctica.
Location in Antarctica
Halfway Island is located in the Palmer Archipelago. This archipelago is a chain of islands near the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth. It is mostly covered in ice. Islands like Halfway Island are important for understanding the unique environment of this polar region.