British Antarctic Territory

The British Antarctic Territory is a large area of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom. It is one of the British Overseas Territories and is much bigger than the others. This territory lies south of 60°S latitude and stretches from 20°W to 80°W longitude, reaching all the way to the South Pole. This area overlaps with claims made by Argentina, called Argentine Antarctica, and Chile, known as the Chilean Antarctic Territory.

Though there are no permanent residents, the territory is home to people who work at research stations. These stations are run by the British Antarctic Survey and other groups, with additional stations from Argentina, Chile, and other nations. In 2012, the southern part of the territory was named Queen Elizabeth Land to honor Queen Elizabeth II.

History

The British Antarctic Territory was created on 3 March 1962. The United Kingdom first claimed parts of Antarctica in 1908 and 1917. Before 1962, these areas were managed as parts of the Falkland Islands.

The UK has controlled the nearby South Atlantic region since 1833. In 1908, it claimed areas including the South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, and Graham Land. In 1917, the claim was updated to include land all the way to the South Pole. During World War II, the UK started a project called Operation Tabarin to gather important information. This later became the British Antarctic Survey, which handles most of the UK’s science work in Antarctica. In the 1950s, the Antarctic Treaty was made to keep Antarctica for peaceful research. The treaty was signed in 1959 and started in 1961.

Recognition

See also: Territorial claims in Antarctica

The United Kingdom's claim to a part of Antarctica is not active since the Antarctic Treaty began in 1961. This treaty says that no actions during its time can support or deny any country's claim there, and no new claims can be made. Most countries do not recognize claims in Antarctica.

The treaty does not say if claims are right or wrong; each country decides for itself. Many nations, including Australia, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, recognize each other's claims. However, Argentina and Chile do not agree with the British claim, as their own areas overlap with it.

Geography

The British Antarctic Territory includes islands like the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, as well as the Ronne Ice Shelf and parts of Coats Land. Most of the land is covered in thick ice, with very few plants—mostly mosses and lichens. Some birds, like penguins, and several types of seals live there too.

The area is managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with a Commissioner overseeing it. Laws exist but are not enforced on foreign scientific bases. The territory makes money by selling postage stamps and collecting taxes. Ships like HMS Protector and RRS Sir David Attenborough help support research in the region.

Topography

Nationality law

The British Antarctic Territory is part of the British Overseas Territories. People can have a special kind of British status called British Overseas Territories citizenship because of their link to the territory. Since 2002, those connected to the territory also have regular British citizenship.

If someone was born in the territory before 1983, they automatically had this special British status and British citizenship. This included a boy named Emilio Palma, who was born at an Argentine base but still got British nationality because he was born before that date.

Rules changed in 1983. Now, for a child born in the territory to get this status, one of their parents must already have it, or the parent must live in the territory following the rules. This means children born in Argentine or Chilean bases in the area can no longer automatically claim British status just by being born there.

Research stations

The British Antarctic Survey has two stations in the British Antarctic Territory that are always staffed: Halley Research Station and Rothera Research Station.

Signy Research Station was used from 1947 to 1996 and is now only open in summer. There are also two small stations that open only in summer at Fossil Bluff and Sky Blu. Faraday was used until 1996, when it was sold to Ukraine and is now called Akademik Vernadsky Station.

Since 1996, the old base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island has been cared for by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust during the summer months. It welcomes about 10,000 visitors each year. People can tour a small museum, buy gifts, send postcards, and see a large group of gentoo penguins. Argentina first set up a base at Orcadas Base on the South Orkney Islands in 1903. Many other countries also have bases in the area, especially around the South Shetland Islands.

Postage stamps and coins

Main article: Postage stamps and postal history of the British Antarctic Territory

Further information: British currency in the South Atlantic and the Antarctic

Even though no people live there all the time, the British Antarctic Territory makes its own stamps for mailing letters. Some of these stamps are used by scientists and tourists who visit, but most are sold to stamp collectors far away. The first stamps were made in 1963, showing a picture of Queen Elizabeth and scenes from Antarctica. Later, new stamps were added, and in 2008–2009, the territory made its first coin to celebrate 100 years since Britain claimed the area.

Queen Elizabeth Land

Main article: Queen Elizabeth Land

In 2012, a part of the British Antarctic Territory was named Queen Elizabeth Land to honor Queen Elizabeth II during her Diamond Jubilee year. This area is about 437,000 square kilometers, almost twice the size of the United Kingdom. It is shaped roughly like a triangle, with the South Pole at one point and lines of longitude at 20°W and 80°W forming its edges. The northern edge is marked by the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf on one side and Coats Land on the other.

The name "Queen Elizabeth Land" will appear on British maps, but because of Antarctica's special status, other countries may choose whether to use the name. Argentina, which also claims part of this area, did not agree with the naming.