Who Controls Antarctica? | Mystery of the 7th Continent
Hello, friends!
Antarctica is the only continent that stands apart; it's neither a country nor governed, and it lacks indigenous tribes that have inhabited it for generations. One of the most conspicuous aspects of Antarctica is its extreme coldness, where temperatures can plummet as low as -89°C. Furthermore, it is renowned as the windiest place on Earth, with snowstorms raging at speeds of up to 300 km/hr, a force capable of blinding those who dare to venture there. Additionally, Antarctica is paradoxically the driest continent, so arid that it's classified as a desert. It receives merely around 51mm of rain annually, and even when it does rain, it immediately turns into snow before reaching the ground. Consequently, Antarctica stands as one of the most uninhabited places on Earth, almost entirely free from human influence.
However, this does not mean that nations worldwide haven't sought to assert their claims over Antarctica. A glance at the map reveals that France, Norway, Australia, Britain, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand all lay various territorial claims to parts of Antarctica. But does this mean that Antarctica is genuinely divided among these nations? In this article, we will delve into the intriguing geopolitics and history of Antarctica.
"Antarctica: a composite portrait of a continent that has challenged humanity ever since we could venture beyond the boundaries of our horizon."
"The Antarctic Continent is encircled by frozen seas, and the South, the world's southernmost point, is notably colder than the world's northern extremity."
"Missions to explore the peculiar marvels of Antarctica."
"The song of Antarctica's secrets is but one piece in the broader puzzle that challenges humans in every corner of the universe."
Let's embark on this journey from the very beginning. In approximately 350 BC, the Greek philosopher Aristotle was among the first to assert that the Earth was spherical. During that era, the Greeks were aware of the Arctic regions to the north, which they had aptly named "Arctos," derived from the bear. The constellations visible in the sky included the Great Bear, which served as their inspiration for naming the Arctic region. They reasoned that, since the Earth was spherical, the North and South must be mirror images of each other and share similar features. Therefore, they dubbed the unknown southern region "Antarctic," signifying its opposition to the bear. From there, the name "Antarctic" was derived.
Although humans first set foot on Antarctica in the 1890s, this enigmatic continent had already made appearances on maps centuries earlier. Explorers traversing the globe were aware that venturing to the southernmost point of the world would lead to the discovery of land. However, the exact nature and expanse of this land remained a mystery. Therefore, when French explorers crafted a world map in 1530, Antarctica was depicted. This map exhibited the Northern Hemisphere on the left and the Southern Hemisphere on the right, with the most significant landmass in the middle of the Southern Hemisphere labeled "Terra Australis Incognita" or the "Unknown Southern Land."
Around two centuries later, in 1773, British naval officer James Cook became the first individual to voyage south of the Antarctic Circle. Although he never actually saw Antarctica, he did encounter icebergs adorned with rock deposits. Observing these rocks led him to conclude that Terra Australis indeed existed. However, venturing closer to Antarctica was a perilous undertaking, leading Cook to famously declare that he believed no one could reach the continent due to its treacherous conditions, characterized by strong winds and the constant danger of colliding with icebergs. His assertion was ultimately proven false 50 years later.
The question of who was the first person to set foot on Antarctica remains a subject of controversy, with multiple claims to this historic title. British-American Captain John Davis believed he was the first person to do so, contending that he had reached Antarctica after his ship became lost. The first undisputed landing occurred in 1895 when the Norwegian ship named the "Antarctic" reached the continent's shores. Several members of the ship's crew disembarked and ventured onto the land, with Carsten Borchgrevink, a Norwegian on board, asserting that he had set foot on Antarctica before the others. However, a New Zealander named Alexander also claimed to have been aboard the same boat and was the first to step onto the land, helping steady the boat. This dispute over the distinction of being the first to set foot on Antarctica resulted in a humorous illustration of Alexander sneaking off the boat, while others on board looked on in surprise, each vying for the honor of being the first.
Following this initial period of exploration, the first two decades of the 1900s are commonly referred to as the "Heroic Years of Antarctica." During this era, numerous expeditions took place, resulting in groundbreaking scientific discoveries and a deeper understanding of the continent. It marked the first time that plant life, in the form of mosses, was discovered to be thriving in Antarctica.
After this heroic era, a colonial period unfolded in Antarctica, during which several countries sought to assert their sovereignty over the region. Between 1908 and 1942, seven countries made territorial claims over Antarctica: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, other countries, including the USA, the Soviet Union, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, and Germany, conducted explorations and expeditions in Antarctica without staking territorial claims.
During Adolf Hitler's rule in 1939, a German Antarctic Expedition was conducted, involving an airplane flying over Antarctica to capture images of the region. Furthermore, they dropped metal Nazi swastikas, asserting that the areas where these swastikas landed were under Nazi Germany's control. Interestingly, the USA was not particularly active during this period. In 1924, the Secretary of State in the United States announced the country's official stance regarding territorial claims in Antarctica. He emphasized that the discovery of new land in Antarctica did not automatically confer ownership rights to a country; instead, ownership would be recognized only when a country established permanent settlements in the region.
Despite these territorial claims, the Heroic Years of Antarctica came to an end, replaced by a colonial period where several countries vigorously asserted their rights over the continent. In the period between 1908 and 1942, seven nations laid territorial claims on Antarctica: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Moreover, several other nations, such as the USA, the Soviet Union, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, and Germany, conducted various explorations and expeditions on the continent without making formal territorial claims.
During Adolf Hitler's regime in 1939, a German Antarctic Expedition took flight, deploying an aircraft to capture images of the region. They also dropped metal Nazi swastikas, claiming that the areas where these swastikas landed were under Nazi Germany's control. Surprisingly, the USA was not highly active during this period. In 1924, the Secretary of State in the United States officially declared the country's position on territorial claims in Antarctica. He stated that the discovery of new land in Antarctica did not automatically grant ownership rights to a country; rather, ownership would only be recognized when a country established permanent settlements in the region.
Despite these territorial claims, the Heroic Years of Antarctica gave way to a colonial period in which various countries vigorously asserted their rights over the continent. From 1908 to 1942, seven nations made territorial claims on Antarctica: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, several other nations, including the USA, the Soviet Union, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, and Germany, conducted explorations and expeditions in the Antarctic without officially asserting territorial claims.
In 1939, during Adolf Hitler's rule, a German Antarctic Expedition took flight, using an aircraft to capture images of the region. They even dropped metal Nazi swastikas, asserting that the areas where these swastikas landed were under Nazi Germany's control. Interestingly, the USA displayed limited activity during this period. In 1924, the Secretary of State in the United States announced the country's official stance on territorial claims in Antarctica, stating that the discovery of new land did not automatically grant ownership; only permanent settlements by a country would confer ownership rights in the region.
Despite these territorial claims, the Heroic Years of Antarctica ultimately gave way to a colonial period during which countries made concerted efforts to assert their rights over the continent. Between 1908 and 1942, seven nations claimed territories in Antarctica: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, other countries, including the USA, the Soviet Union, Japan, Sweden, Belgium, and Germany, engaged in exploratory activities in Antarctica without formally staking territorial claims.
In 1939, during Hitler's regime, a German Antarctic Expedition used an aircraft to capture images of the region and dropped metal Nazi swastikas to assert control over specific areas, claiming them for Nazi Germany. Remarkably, the USA displayed relatively little activity during this time. In 1924, the Secretary of State in the United States clarified the country's position on territorial claims in Antarctica, emphasizing that mere discovery of new land did not automatically confer ownership; ownership would only be recognized when a country established permanent settlements in the region.