The Frigid Continent Of Antartica
Even if you consider yourself to be well-traveled
, it is unlikely that you have considered Antarctica as a vacation destination. Granted, Antarctica is a dark, frigid, obscured void littered with stations set up to conduct research.
This continent has features that make it most unusual and interesting. This is a land in which all of the world's nations have agreed to outlaw war and weaponry.
Even though Antarctica was discovered in the early 1800's, most of the continent still remains a mystery to humankind 163 years later. The continent's landmass is as substantial as Mexico and the United States put together.
An enormous icecap covers ninety-eight percent of the continent. The resources of this continent are virtually untapped by man since its discovery.
Antarctica possesses the promise of offshore oil and minerals that could be interred beneath the glaciers floating on top of the landmass. In the waters off the shore of Antarctica, swim an abundance of protein-rich krill.
Being almost deathly silent, the peacefulness of Antarctica is an unusual feature. For many years now, Antarctica has been a place of peace, and hopefully global politics will not change that at any time in the near future.
The continent experienced a time of national competition in the 1920's, 1930's and into the 1940's. However, most countries that sponsored explorations of Antarctica opted not too spend the money to fight to gain control of this cold, dark continent surrounded by blustery seas.
Antarctica proves to be a truly inhospitable realm in which to fight wars. The calm here was made formal with the signing of the Antarctic Treaty of 1859, although it was already a de facto reality.
Agreed to by the 12 nations that had each been present for the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58, this Antarctic Treaty was a short brief. The most important international and national goal of pursuing science and how to function in the extremes of Antarctica on a peaceful basis was established during the first International Geophysical Year.
The agreement bans war and weapons in Antarctica. The use of military force was limited to the support of scientific expeditions. However, hostile tactics are still not allowed, including radioactive storage or atomic discharge.
This same treaty also allows for provisions in which all established sites can be inspected for weaponry. This is the only treaty in place in the world that contains this condition.
Every area of Antarctica is open to exploration by scientists, despite active claims on certain territories. This availability for exploration extends into the waters off the shores of the continent, and any area which is currently under dispute.
Up to this time, Antarctic activities have been free of any involvement by the United Nations. In actuality, the treaties which are in place tend to call for minimal UN involvement. The members who are part of this treaty believe that their own administrative systems are exceptional when it comes to matters of negotiating available resources, protecting the environment, and scientific expeditions.
In the past, it was thought that Antarctica could become the middle of a huge tug-of-war between the richer, developed nations of the world, and those in the southern hemisphere. Instead, Antarctica found its niche. And a most interesting spot in the global picture Antarctica holds! The Antarctic Treaty may be amended in order to allow China, India and a number of key developing Latin American countries to begin to participate in activities in the area.
The Antarctica Treaty signers may allow new members to be included as "acceding powers", that would included several Latin American countries. These countries, who don't conduct scientific activities on the continent, have agreed to follow the terms spelled out by the treaty, but cannot vote. Now, these growing nations are part of this important treaty, rather than posing a potential threat to it.
by: John Chambers
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