Antarctica is the world's southernmost continent and it is it is the planet's most inhospitable. It's a continent devoid of permanent human habitation with most of the people who're there being scientists and support. There are at least seven countries staking claims to this frozen wasteland (with other people such as the United States “reserving the right” to stake a claim).
For people who are able to afford it, it's a very rewarding experience to discover Antarctica on an expedition – and one can in fact get tours to the South Pole. However, many of the greatest Antarctic landscape is not Antarctica itself, but South Georgia Island along with other sub-Antarctic islands. These islands are teeming with life and could be reached with an expedition.
What to Know About The Most Inhospitable Continent
Antarctica is incredibly southern and is almost entirely south from the Antarctic Circle. It's almost twice how big Australia and is entombed in a blanket of ice. The typical thickness of their ice shelves is about 1.9 kilometers or 1.2 miles.
- Size: 14,200,000 km2 (5,500,000 sq mi)
- Summer Population: 5,000 (At Research Stations)
- Winter Population: 1,000 (At Research Stations)
This continent is the coldest, driest, and windiest of all by far the highest average elevation. Around 70% of the world's freshwater is locked up in its ice (which in the event that would melt, would raise global sea levels by around 60 meters or 200 feet).
Few plants and animals can exist in the brutal environment (even though the polar waters can be rich in marine life). Its native species are largely limited to mites, nematodes, penguins, seals, and tardigrades with its limited vegetation being tundra.
While it might be easy to visit 6 of the world's 7 continents – ticking this one from the list could be tricky.
The Antarctic Treaty – Freezing The Frozen Continent
So with all of that, it isn't particularly a continent that anyone would like. It had not been even until 1840 that the continent is discovered and also the first confirmed landing wasn't until 1895.
Today seven countries stake a claim to splices of Antarctica. But it is controlled by around 30 countries which are parties of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty System. This treaty would be a compromise to “freeze” the continent.
- Banned: The Treaty Bans All Mining, Nuclear Explosions, Nuclear Waste Disposal, And Military Activity
- Definition: Underneath the Treaty, Antarctica Is Defined As All Land and Ice Shelves South of 60°S latitude
- Research Stations: You will find Over 55 Antarctic Research Stations
Under the treaty, the continent was set aside like a scientific preserve and guarantees the freedom of scientific research. The treaty does not dispute or recognize any claims around the continent and bans any future claims to the continent (although in 2022 Norway formally defined its claim, Queen Maud Land, as extending throughout unclaimed land to the South Pole).
The Countries Claiming Slices of Antarctica
Today the majority of Antarctica is claimed by seven countries – the lion's share being claimed by Australia. Some of these countries recognize one another's claims but their claims are not widely internationally recognized.
The Territorial Claims in Antarctica are:
France:
- Name of Territory: Adelie Land
- Date Claimed: 1840
- Claim Limits: 142°02′E to 136°11′E
- Over Lapping Claims: None
United Kingdom:
- Name of Territory: British Antarctic Territory
- Date Claimed: 1908
- Claim Limits: 080°00′W to 020°00′W
- Over Lapping Claims: Partial Over Lapping Claims with Chile and Argentina
New Zealand:
- Name of Territory: Ross Dependency
- Date Claimed: 1923
- Claim Limits: 160°00′E to 150°00′W
- Over Lapping Claims: None
Norway:
- Name of Territory: Queen Maud Land & Peter I Island
- Date Claimed: 1939 & 1931
- Claim Limits: 020°00′W to 044°38′E & 68°50′S 90°35′W
Australia:
- Name of Territory: Australian Antarctic Territory
- Date Claimed: 1933
- Claim Limits: 044°38′E to 136°11′E, and 142°02′E to 160°00′E
- Over Lapping Claims: None
Chile:
- Name of Territory: Chilean Antarctic Territory
- Date Claimed: 1940
- Claim Limits: 090°00′W to 053°00′W
- Over Lapping Claims: Partial Over Lapping Claims using the UK and Argentina
Argentina:
- Name of Territory: Argentine Antarctica
- Date Claimed: 1943
- Claim Limits: 074°00′W to 025°00′W
- Over Lapping Claims: Partial Over Lapping Claims with The UK and Chile
In all of this (and overlapping claims), there is actually a big area of the unclaimed territory (called Marie Bryd Land). It extends from 150°00′W to 090°00′W – but excludes the Norwegian claim that they can the Peter I Island.
As Nz and Australia achieved independence, they inherited the older British states the continent.
- Recognition: Britain, Australia, Nz, France, and Norway All Recognize Each Other's Claims
- Brazil: Staked A “Zone of Interest”
Under the Treaty Russia and also the Usa reserve their to make a claim to Antarctica. Peru and Nigeria also formally reserve their rights to stake out claims, while Brazil is designated a “zone of interest” – although that isn't just like an actual claim.
