Why is ownership of Antarctica important?

Antarctica does not belong to any one nation, and claims that have been made were not recognised internationally because they were made after a treaty banned countries from claiming territory while an international research project was underway on Antarctica.

This treaty was the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, which was set up in 1964. In 1991 the Protocol for Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed by all members, which also bans mineral exploration and mining.

Seven countries made claims to Antarctica and the surrounding seas but none of these were recognised by both governments and researchers that do not have their own claims. However, all countries which have made territorial claims have set up permanent research stations and maintain active research programmes on the continent.

The countries with claims to Antarctica are:

_ Argentina

_ Australia

_ Chile

_ France

_ New Zealand

_ Norway

_ United Kingdom_