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Antarctica: The Political Geography of Antarctica (Part I)

The document discusses the political geography of Antarctica in two parts. It outlines that Antarctica lacks a permanent population or sovereign claims. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty which aims to preserve the environment and ban military and nuclear activity. The treaty has been successful in maintaining peace but concerns remain around pollution, overfishing, and tourism in the fragile Antarctic region.

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kamala 123
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107 views4 pages

Antarctica: The Political Geography of Antarctica (Part I)

The document discusses the political geography of Antarctica in two parts. It outlines that Antarctica lacks a permanent population or sovereign claims. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty which aims to preserve the environment and ban military and nuclear activity. The treaty has been successful in maintaining peace but concerns remain around pollution, overfishing, and tourism in the fragile Antarctic region.

Uploaded by

kamala 123
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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5/12/2011

Antarctica

The Political Geography of Antarctica


(Part I)

• Lacks an indigenous /permanent population, States,


colonies, dependencies and civil divisions
• Inhospitable in climate, surface cover, and accessibility
• Numerous and sometimes conflicting g pie-chart
p claims
dating from 1908-1943. None are regarding as sovereign
territory.
• Remoteness results in limited geopolitical significance
• Arguably, the most peaceful place on Earth.
• A center of cooperative research since the International
Geophysical Year (IGU), 1957

The Political Geography of Antarctica


(Part II)
• Governed by the Antarctica Treaty, 1959
– Nuclear free
– Preserves and conserves “living resources”
– Principal focus is on krill and whaling
• Major concerns:
– Tourism
– Pollution
– Exemption from UNCLOS rulings
– Over-fishing

1
5/12/2011

Antarctic Treaty
(or Antarctic Treaty System – ATS)
• A series of agreements that codify and
regulate international relations within the
context of Antarctica – defined by the treaty
as the continent and its ice shelves south of
Latitude 60°
60 South.
South
• Took effect in 1961.
• Sets aside Antarctica as a preserve for
scientific research.
• Military activity is banned.
• The first Cold War-era arms control
agreement.

McMurdo Station (U.S)

McMurdo Station

2
5/12/2011

Eduardo Frei Base (Chile) Antarctica Pollution

Krill Japanese Whaling Vessel


in Antarctic Waters

3
5/12/2011

Confrontation between Sea Shepherd 2/17/11: Whaling season


vessel Japanese whaler off Antarctica cancelled two months early

Antarctica Tourism trends in Antarctica

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