The land with its jagged glaciers, adorable penguins, and gigantic albatrosses is one of the most remote and desolate places on Earth.
As a paradise for wildlife and covered by icy waters year-round, King Edward Point is located on South Georgia Island, about 1,400 km southeast of the Falkland Islands.
King Edward Point serves as the capital of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, with a population of just 10 people.
Specifically, the residents here are those working at the King Edward Point Research Station, a research station situated at the entrance of King Edward Cove—a small bay in Cumberland East Bay, accessible only by boat.
The population at King Edward Point is just 10 people in winter.
Since 1909, King Edward Point has been home to a British judge managing the island. This location is often confused with Grytviken, an abandoned whaling station nearby. In summer, the area supports between 20 and 40 residents, but only 10 brave souls remain during the winter.
The inhabitants include three government officials hired to live and work at the station on a rotational basis, along with staff from the British Antarctic Survey employed under a 17-month contract.
Other staff members include a fisheries scientist, a zoological field assistant for seals and penguins, two boating officers, a doctor, a station manager, and two technicians—one for electrical and the other for mechanical work.
In summer, the area has between 20 to 40 residents.
The primary focus of research conducted here is to provide scientific advice to support marine reserves while paying attention to the sustainable management of commercial fishing around the island.
Living here long-term requires individuals to endure harsh climatic conditions with the possibility of snow at any time, temperatures ranging from -15 degrees Celsius in winter to +20 degrees Celsius in summer, though the island is usually snow-covered from May to October.
Everyone takes turns cooking, cleaning, baking bread, and preparing a traditional three-course meal on Saturday evenings. Additionally, they must undergo training in navigation, search and rescue before departure and upon arrival, and receive advanced first aid training.
Living here long-term requires individuals to endure harsh climatic conditions.
Alongside the minimal staff, there is a diverse array of wildlife, from penguins to gigantic albatrosses, elephant seals, and South Georgia pintails. The South Sandwich Islands are home to up to five million seals of four different species and 65 million birds from 30 different species, including the endemic pipit.
The waters surrounding the island also provide key habitats for migratory whales, as well as numerous fish and Antarctic mollusks. To prevent environmental harm, researchers at King Edward Point always take “every precaution” to minimize the risk of introducing new invasive species.
