Alexander Island

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Alexander Island shown within Antarctica

Alexander Island map

For the Canadian arctic island, see Alexander Island, Nunavut.

Alexander Island or Alexander I Island or Alexander I Land or Alexander Land or Alexander The First Island or Isla Alejandro I is a large island with an area of 43,250 km² lying in the Bellingshausen Sea west of the base of the Antarctic Peninsula, from which it is separated by Marguerite Bay and George VI Sound. Alexander Island lies off the coast of Antarctica and is linked to it by an ice shelf. Alexander Island is located at [71°00′S 70°00′W]. Alexander Island is about 240 mi long in a north-south direction, 50 mi wide in the north, and 150 mi wide in the south. Features of the island include the Sofia University Mountains.

Alexander Island was discovered on Januar 28, 1821 by a Russian expedition under Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, who named it Alexander I Land for the reigning Tsar Alexander I of Russia, but it was believed to be part of the Antarctic mainland until 1940. Its insular nature was proven in December 1940, by a sledge party under Finn Ronne of the United States Antarctic Service (USAS). In the 1950s, a British base administered as part of the British Antarctic Territory was constructed as Fossil Bluff.

The island is now used as a meteorological centre and refuelling base. The island is claimed by the United Kingdom, Chile and Argentina under the Antarctic Treaty System.

Alexander Island

See also