World's most uninhabitable capital city where only 10 people brave the -15C cold
A perilous land of glaciers is one of the most remote places on earth - where the sub zero temperatures mean only 10 people live there.
King Edward Point is the smallest capital city by population and is situated on South Georgia Island, around 1,400km south-east of the Falkland Islands, it is a permanent British Antarctic Survey research station. King Edward Point Research Station lies at the entrance to King Edward Cove, so remote it's only accessible by boat.
In summer, between 20 to 40 people inhabit the station, but in winter only ten people dare to stay due to the plummeting temperatures. The British Antarctic Survey staff are employed on contracts of 17 months while three Government Officers are employed to live and work at the station on an overlapping rota.
Of those who live there, one is a fisheries scientists, another a zoological field assistant for seals and penguins, two boating officers, a doctor, a station leader and two technicians. The researchers' main focus is to provide scientific advice to assist Marine Protected areas, attention is also drawn to sustainable management of the commercial fisheries around the island.
Only 10 people live there (Wikipedia)The team have published a number of 'projects' from Gentoo Penguin Tracking to understanding the Impact of plastics. And it's safe to say life here isn't easy.
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They have to endure harsh winters and must be ready for snow at any time. Temperatures range from -15C in the winter to more than 20C in the summer, but it's normally covered in snow between May and October. Each resident takes it in turns to cook, clean and make bread alongside a traditional three course meal every Saturday night.
Plus, they go through navigation training as well as search and rescue drills. According to the British Antarctic Survey, their team makes their own entertainment and participate in 'hill waking, skiing, a half marathon, model yacht racing, film nights and an annual entry to the Antarctic film festival'.
The city is a haven for wildlife, from gentoo, macaroni and king penguins, to giant petrels, elephant seals pintail ducks and sooty and wandering albatross. There are 65 million breeding birds of 30 different species including the world's only subantarctic songbird, the endemic South Georgia pitpit.
In the warmer months, elephant seals and fur seals breed on the beach before the research station. The waters surrounding the island are also a key habitat for migrating whales and plenty of fish and Antarctic krill occupy it.
To prevent harm to the environment which they are occupying, King Edward Point researchers take 'every care' to reduce the risk of spreading new alien species. As a result, fresh produce is inspected and washed on delivery and non-native species are returned for identification. Visitors must scrub their footwear, and vigorously inspect their clothing before arrival.
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