Australian Antarctic Territory

The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica that Australia claims as its own external territory. It is the biggest piece of Antarctica that any country says belongs to it. This area was given to Australia by the United Kingdom in 1933.

Australia helped create the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, which means that all ideas about who owns what in Antarctica are put on hold. Only a few countries agree with Australia’s claim: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Norway.

The Australian Antarctic Territory is looked after by the Australian Antarctic Division, a group that works for the government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Australia has three places where scientists live and work all year: Mawson Station, Davis Station, and Casey Station. There are no people living there permanently, only about 500 during the summer and as few as 80 during the winter, all working for the Australian Antarctic Program.

History

Australia played an important role in early journeys to the Antarctic region during the 1800s. Many Australian hunters traveled to nearby islands. Australians joined important trips to Antarctica, including the Southern Cross expedition in 1898 and the Discovery expedition in 1901. In 1911, Australia helped fund a big expedition led by geologist Douglas Mawson.

In 1933, the United Kingdom gave Australia control of part of Antarctica. Australia officially accepted this land with a special law in the same year. Australia set up its first permanent research base, Mawson Station, in 1954. Later, more stations were added. In 1959, Australia helped create the Antarctic Treaty, which helps protect the area for science and peace.

Geography and climate

The Australian Antarctic Territory is located south of the 60th parallel south, between the 160th meridian east and 45th meridian east, but it does not include France's Adélie Land, which lies between the 136th and 142nd meridian east. This territory covers about 5,900,000 km² (2,300,000 sq mi), making up 42% of Antarctica's land. The highest mountains here are Mount McClintock, which rises 3,490 m (11,450 ft), and Mount Menzies, standing at 3,355 m (11,007 ft).

The climate in this area is very cold and windy. Near the coast, temperatures can range from −40 °C (−40 °F) up to 10 °C (50 °F). Further inland, it gets even colder, with temperatures between −80 °C (−112 °F) and −30 °C (−22 °F). Winds can blow as fast as 320 kilometres per hour.

Administration

The Australian Antarctic Territory is managed by the Australian Antarctic Division, part of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Australia has three main research stations there: Mawson Station, Davis Station, and Casey Station. In 2007, Australia built a permanent runway called the Wilkins Aerodrome, which operates from October to March. There are also smaller bases used during the summer for research and monitoring. Around 500 people work in the territory during the summer, but this number drops to about 80 in the winter.

The territory follows several laws. First, there are national laws that include the territory. Then there are special rules made just for the territory. Other laws come from the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory. These laws focus on protecting the environment and following international agreements, like the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Australia has also worked to control tourism, ensuring it is eco-friendly and responsible. In 2023–2024, about 120,000 tourists visited Antarctica, with many landing on the Antarctic Peninsula. Australia sets rules for where and how tourists can visit.

Sovereignty

The 1961 Antarctic Treaty stopped any new claims to parts of Antarctica and kept the existing claims as they were at that time. Only a few countries recognize Australia’s claim to the Australian Antarctic Territory: Norway, New Zealand, France, and the United Kingdom. Australia supports the Antarctic Treaty System and wants to protect its interests in Antarctica. Australia also works to stop illegal fishing, including whaling, near its claimed area. In 2014, an international court decided that Japan’s whaling in the Southern Ocean was not for science, and Japan stopped these activities.