Sigma Islands facts for kids
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 Sigma Islands
Location in Antarctica
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 64°16′S 62°55′W / 64.267°S 62.917°W |
| Archipelago | Melchior Islands, Palmer Archipelago |
| Administration | |
| Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
| Ethnic groups | Argentinian |
The Sigma Islands are a small group of islands and rocks. They are located about 5.6 kilometers (3 nautical miles) north of Eta Island. These islands mark the northern edge of the Melchior Islands, which are part of the Palmer Archipelago near Antarctica.
Contents
Discovering the Sigma Islands
The Sigma Islands were first discovered in 1874. An Argentinian explorer named Vitór Martinez and his team found them. This discovery helped map out more of the Antarctic region.
How the Islands Got Their Name
The name "Sigma" comes from the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet. The name was first used on an Argentine government map in 1946. This happened after Argentine teams explored the islands in 1942 and 1943.
Living in the Sigma Islands
The Sigma Islands are uninhabited, meaning no people live there permanently. Like much of Antarctica, the weather is very cold and harsh. This makes it a difficult place for humans to live.
What is the Antarctic Treaty System?
The Sigma Islands are part of a special agreement called the Antarctic Treaty System. This treaty makes sure that Antarctica is used only for peaceful scientific research. It also prevents any country from claiming ownership over most of Antarctica. This means the islands are protected for everyone to study and explore peacefully.
See Also
- List of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands
