Cooper Island (South Georgia)

Cooper Island
Southeast extremity of South Georgia with Cooper Island
Geography
Coordinates54°48′S 35°47′W / 54.800°S 35.783°W / -54.800; -35.783
ArchipelagoSouth Georgia
Length2 mi (3 km)
Highest elevation1,365 ft (416.1 m)
Administration
Overseas TerritorySouth Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Demographics
Population0

Cooper Island is a small island, 2 miles (3.2 km) long, which lies at the north side of the entrance to Drygalski Fjord, off the southeast end of South Georgia. It was discovered by a British expedition under James Cook in 1775, and named for Lieutenant Robert Palliser Cooper, an officer aboard HMS Resolution.

A navigable channel, Cooper Sound, nearly 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, separates Cooper Island from the coast of the main island of South Georgia. There is a small bay, Known as Cooper Bay, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) southwest of Cape Vahsel on the mainland, and 1 mile (1.6 km) northwest of Cooper Island, indenting the southeast end of South Georgia, which derives its name from Cooper Island.

The island reaches 416 metres (1,365 ft) at its highest point, and the upper parts of the island are above the snow line.

Cooper Island