Swan Islands, Falkland Islands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swan Islands
Islas de Cisne
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Location of the Swan Islands within the Falkland Islands
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| Country | Falkland Islands |
| Island group | Falkland Sound |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (FKST) |
| If shown, area and population ranks are for all islands and all inhabited islands in the Falklands respectively. | |
The Swan Islands (which means Islas del Cisne in Spanish) are a small group of islands. They are located in the middle of Falkland Sound in the Falkland Islands. This group includes three main islands: Swan Island, and the smaller West Swan Island and North Swan Island.
Contents
Exploring the Swan Islands' Geography
The Swan Islands are quite flat, meaning they are "low-lying." They are mostly covered in a special type of tall, tough grass called tussac grass. This grass is very common in the Falkland Islands.
Where are the Swan Islands located?
These islands sit between two much larger islands: West Falkland and East Falkland. East Falkland has a part called Lafonia. These bigger islands act like shields, protecting the Swan Islands from very rough weather that might come from the east or west.
The History Behind the Name
The name "Swan Islands" might come from a real swan sighting! In 1836, Admiral George Grey was exploring the Falkland Islands. He wrote in his journal on December 21st about his visit to the islands.
Admiral Grey's Discovery
Admiral Grey noted that the islands were low and covered in tussac grass. However, the largest island had a clear area in its center. There was even a small lake with clear water. One of his midshipmen (a junior naval officer) managed to kill a wild swan there.
Grey had heard there were wild pigs on the island. He even landed 50 men to search for them, but they didn't find any. It's thought that the wild swan killed by the midshipman might be why these islands got their name.
Images for kids
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Location of the Swan Islands within the Falkland Islands
See also
In Spanish: Isla Cisne para niños
