Hestesletten

Hestesletten (54°18′S 36°31′W / 54.300°S 36.517°W / -54.300; -36.517Coordinates: 54°18′S 36°31′W / 54.300°S 36.517°W / -54.300; -36.517) is a glacial plain between the Hamberg Lakes and Cumberland East Bay, South Georgia. It is covered with tussock and is almost 2 miles (3.2 km) long in a northeast–southwest direction and 0.75 miles (1.2 km) wide.^[1] It is, along with Salisbury Plain, one of the few substantial flat areas on the island.

History

The name "Hestesletten" (Norwegian for "Horses' Plain") arose because a small herd of horses were introduced by the South Georgia Exploration Company in 1905, survived here for a number of years.^[1] Manchurian ponies were also introduced by an expedition in 1912.

During the Falklands War, on 25 April 1982, Royal Marines landed here, and went to King Edward Point, where Argentine forces surrendered later that day.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document "Hestesletten" (content from the Geographic Names Information System).