Rosenthal Islands facts for kids
Gentoo penguins breed in the IBA
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 Rosenthal Islands
Location in Antarctica
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Palmer Archipelago, Graham Land, Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 64°35′59″S 64°15′00″W / 64.59972°S 64.25000°W |
| Archipelago | Rosenthal Islands |
| Total islands | 80 |
| Major islands | Gerlache Island |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
The Rosenthal Islands are a group of many small islands. They are located off the west coast of Anvers Island in Antarctica. These islands are about 11 kilometers (7 miles) north of Cape Monaco. They are part of the Palmer Archipelago.
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Exploring the Rosenthal Islands
The biggest island in the group is Gerlache. It is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long and 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles) wide. Gerlache Island rises to 100 meters (328 feet) high. It has a cap of ice that stays there all year.
Smaller Islands and Their Features
The other islands are smaller. They are less than 500 meters (1,640 feet) across. They are also less than 100 meters (328 feet) high. Most of these smaller islands do not have ice on them. The islands and nearby land areas are often rough and rocky. They are also very open to the weather.
The islands closer to the sea are steeper. They have many small rocks and tiny islands nearby. Most of these are not yet mapped. Some islands closer to Anvers Island are less steep. Their shorelines are easier to reach.
Nearby Research Station
The closest science station is Palmer Station. It belongs to the USA. This station is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the east. It is located at Arthur Harbour on southern Anvers Island.
How the Islands Were Found and Named
The Rosenthal Islands were found a long time ago. A German team explored the waters of Antarctica in 1873–74. This team was led by Eduard Dallmann.
Naming the Islands
Dallmann named the islands after Albert Rosenthal. Mr. Rosenthal was the director of a group called the Society for Polar Navigation. This group helped pay for the expedition.
A Special Place for Birds
A large area of 11,081 hectares (about 27,380 acres) has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA). This area includes Gerlache Island. It also stretches 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of the main Rosenthal group. This special area has 35 islands and land areas without ice.
Home to Many Penguins
BirdLife International gave it the IBA name. This is because it is home to about 7,300 pairs of Gentoo penguins. These penguins come here to lay their eggs and raise their chicks.
Other Birds That Live Here
Many other birds also live and breed on these islands. These include Adélie and chinstrap penguins. You can also find southern giant petrels, Antarctic terns, and Antarctic shags. Kelp gulls and south polar skuas also live here. It is also likely that Wilson's storm petrels and snowy sheathbills breed here.
This Important Bird Area is part of a larger protected zone. It is called Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) No.7. This area covers Southwest Anvers Island and the Palmer Basin.
