British Antarctic Territory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Motto: Research and Discovery | |||||
| Anthem: God Save the Queen | |||||
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| Status | Overseas territory of the United Kingdom | ||||
| Official language(s) | - | ||||
| Commissioner | Tony Crombie | ||||
| Administrator | Michael Richardson | ||||
| Area | 1,395,000 km² | ||||
| Population | c. 200 | ||||
| Currency | Pound Sterling | ||||
British Antarctic Territory is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, situated in Antarctica from the South Pole to 60° S latitude between longitudes 20° W and 80° W. The Territory was formed on March 3, 1962, although the UK first claimed this portion of the Antarctic in 1908. Before 1962, the area now covered by the Territory comprised three separate dependencies of the Falkland Islands; Graham Land, the South Orkneys, and the South Shetlands.
The Territory overlaps other claims on Antarctica by Argentina (Argentine Antarctica) and Chile (Antártica Chilena Province).
The Territory is uninhabited apart from the staff of a couple of dozen research stations operated by several countries, including three maintained by the British Antarctic Survey.
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[edit] History
The United Kingdom has had a continuous presence in the South Atlantic since 1833 when it occupied the Falkland Islands. In 1908 the UK extended its territory by unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the territory that is British Antarctic Territory today, as well as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The territory was grouped together as the Falkland Islands Dependency, and governed from Stanley by the Governor of the Falkland Islands.
In 1943, at the height of World War II, the UK undertook a military operation known as Operation Tabarin, to provide reconnaissance and meteorological information in the South Atlantic Ocean. This "secret" wartime project became the civilian Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey and later the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The BAS is responsible for most of the United Kingdom's scientific research in Antarctica.
Several other nations began to stake claims to Antarctica, and in the 1950s, a treaty was negotiated to demilitarise the region, and retain Antarctica for peaceful research purposes. The treaty was passed in 1961. In response the UK hived off all its territory below the 60° S latitude into the British Antarctic Territory, established by Order-in-Council.
Only France, Norway, New Zealand and Australia, who themselves have territorial claims on the continent, recognise British Antarctic Territory.
[edit] Geography
In addition to continental Antarctica, within which the BAT claim includes the Ronne Ice Shelf, Weddell Sea, and most of the Palmer Land peninsula, the territory also nominally administers the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands.
[edit] Administration
It is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). A Commissioner is appointed and is always the Head of the FCO's Overseas Territories Department.
The Territory has a full suite of laws, and legal and postal administrations. Given the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty System, the Territory does not enforce its laws on foreign nations who maintain scientific bases within the Territory. It is self-financing, with income from the sale of postage stamps and income tax.
[edit] Nationality law
The territory is fully a part of the British Overseas Territories for nationality purposes. It is possible to hold British Overseas Territories citizenship (BOTC) by virtue of a connection with the Territory. Additionally, since the relevant provisions of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 came into force on 21 May 2002, a BOTC connected with the territory would also hold British citizenship.
Although this territory's immigration laws would not allow for naturalisation, a person born in the territory before 1983 would hold BOTC (and British citizenship) on that basis. Emilio Palma is the only person known to fall into this category. British citizenship and BOTC would also extend to the first generation born overseas.
Changes to British nationality law from 1 January 1983 ensure that no claims to BOTC or British citizenship by virtue of a connection to the territory can be made by those born from that date.
[edit] Research
The British Antarctic Survey has three permanently staffed research stations in the Territory:
A fourth base, Faraday, was also maintained until 1996, when it was handed to Ukraine. It is now called Akademik Vernadsky Station.
There are also two summer-only forward operating stations, at Fossil Bluff and Sky Blu.
A biological research station on Bird Island, off South Georgia is also permanently staffed.
Since 1996 the historic base at Port Lockroy on Goudier Island has been staffed by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust during the Antarctic summer. Receiving about 10,000 visitors a year, it is one of the most visited sites on the continent. Visitors can tour the museum, buy souvenirs, post mail, and view the large gentoo penguin colony.
[edit] Postage stamps
[edit] External links
| Antarctic territorial claims | ||
|---|---|---|
| Current | Adélie Land · Argentine Antarctica · Australian Antarctic Territory · Brazilian Antarctica · British Antarctic Territory · Antarctic Chilean Territory · Ross Dependency · Queen Maud Land · Peter I Island |  |
| Former | New Swabia | |
Overseas territories
Anguilla · Bermuda · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Gibraltar · Montserrat · Pitcairn Islands · Saint Helena (includes Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha) · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands
Crown dependencies | Sovereign base areas
Guernsey · Jersey · Isle of Man | Akrotiri and Dhekelia
