Limited Access Continent Summary: Antarctica
Limited Access Continent Name: Antarctica
Capital: N/A
Official Visa & Travel Information:
Any expedition to the Antarctic Region could have an impact on the environment and its ecosystems. To manage those risks and impacts, the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty establish certain obligations on the Treaty Parties with regard to expeditions to the Antarctic Treaty area.
The Treaty obliges each Party to give advance notification of all expeditions to and within Antarctica, on the part of its ships, aircraft, or nationals, and all expeditions to Antarctica organized in or proceeding from its territory.
U.S. tourists who have booked passage to Antarctica on a commercial cruise regulated by an Antarctic Treaty Party, such as those that are a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO.org), normally would be covered by the vessel operator’s and/or tour company’s advance notification. Always check with your tour operator about advance notification coverage.
Any U.S. nationals organizing a private expedition to Antarctica in the United States, or proceeding to Antarctica from the United States, should initiate the process by notifying the Department of State at least three months prior to the intended travel to the Antarctic Treaty area. Contact the Department of State’s Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs for additional information at Antarctica@state.gov.
Visit the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators website for more information on visitor guidelines.
Government Type: The Antarctic region is governed by a system known as the Antarctic Treaty system.
Background: Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not merely a group of islands or an area of ocean. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century, but generally the area saw little human activity. Following World War II, however, the continent experienced an upsurge in scientific research. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims and two maintain the basis for a claim, but most countries do not recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. Also relevant to Antarctic governance are the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
Continent: Antarctica
Population: 1,000-5,000 (2022 est.) (varies by season)
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $0
Real GDP per Capita: $0
Exports: $0
Imports: $0
Natural Resources: Iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small noncommercial quantities; mineral exploitation except for scientific research is banned by the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty; krill, icefish, toothfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries, which are managed through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (CCAMLR).
Natural Hazards: Katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf; volcanism: volcanic activity on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak.
Geography:
Total: 14.2 million sq km
Land: 14.2 million sq km
(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)
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