South Georgia

earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=5932

South Georgia is a Sub-Antarctic island in the South Atlantic.  Mount Paget (seen in the NASA image above) is the highest peak on the island at 2934m.  Grytviken was once home to a thriving whaling industry, now the BAS base at neighbouring King Edward Point supports applied fisheries research.  You can read more about the island on the official website.

British Overseas Territory

South Georgia (and the South Sandwich Islands: SGSSI) is a British Overseas Territory.  Prior to 1985 it had been part of the Falkland Islands Dependency.  It was claimed for the British Crown in 1775 by Captain James Cook, who was the first to land on, survey and map the island which he named after George III.   'Possession Day' on 17th January is a SGSSI public holiday.

The Commissioner of SGSSI is the head of government for the islands and is post held by the Governor of the Falkland Islands. Most of the islands administration is carried out in Stanley.

Government Officers are also stationed on South Georgia year round.  They are heavily involved in the practical aspects of fisheries management; inspecting vessels and issuing licenses as well as being Harbour Master.  They also act as Customs and Immigrations Officers, and have a busy time stamping the passports of tourists on visiting ships.

The loneliest time zone

South Georgia is the only inhabited place in timezone UTC -02:00

Now I am aware that the Chatham Islands near New Zealand have their own unique time zone, but there are least 600 people living there, and they have a runway!