 Location of Aitcho Islands in the South Shetland Islands. | |
  Aitcho Islands Location of in the South Shetland Islands Show map of South Shetland Islands Aitcho Islands Location in Antarctica Show map of Antarctica | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Antarctica |
| Coordinates | 62°23′29″S59°46′10″W / 62.39139°S 59.76944°W /-62.39139; -59.76944 |
| Archipelago | South Shetland Islands |
| Area | 1.9204 km2 (0.7415 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Administered under theAntarctic Treaty System | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
TheAitcho Islands (‘Aitcho’ standing for‘H.O.’ i.e.‘Hydrographic Office’) are a group of minor islands on the west side of the north entrance toEnglish Strait separatingGreenwich Island andRobert Island in theSouth Shetland Islands,Antarctica, which are situated betweenDee Island to the south andTable Island to the north.[1][2] The group is separated from Dee Island andSierra Island to the southwest byVillalón Passage (62°24′48.3″S59°46′12.3″W / 62.413417°S 59.770083°W /-62.413417; -59.770083).[citation needed] The area was visited by early 19th centurysealers operating from nearbyClothier Harbour.[citation needed] During the austral summer the islands are often visited byAntarctic cruise ships withtourists who land to watch wildlife.[3]
The islands were mapped in 1935 during theoceanographic investigations carried out by theDiscovery Committee, and named after theHydrographic Office of theUKAdmiralty.[1] Some of the island names were given byChilean Antarctic expeditions between 1949 and 1951.[citation needed]
The islands and some notable rocks of the Aitcho group are:
Among the bird species found on the islands are chinstrap andgentoo penguins,southern giant petrels, andskuas.[2][3] Southern elephant seals are among the larger life forms.[2][3] Other seals in the region include the Antarctic fur seal and the Weddell seal.[3] There are also a wide variety of lichens and mosses reported.[2][3]
Regular wildlife surveys are conducted to assess the populations of birdlife on the islands.[2]
