British Antarctic Territory

Categories: British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies | Geography of Antarctica | Philately by country | Disputed territories

British Antarctic Territory is a 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. Prior to 1962, the Territory was part of the Falkland Islands Dependency. Under the Antarctic Treaty of 1961 all territorial claims on Antarctica are held in suspense.

The Territory overlaps other claims on Antarctica by Argentina (Argentine Antarctica) and Chile (Antártica Chilena Province).

The Territory is uninhabited by a native population. The British Antarctic Survey maintains three research stations in the Territory, as do several other nations.

History

The United Kingdom has had a continious 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 Port 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 Britain’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. Neither the United States or Russia recognise the British claim.

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, the Territory does not enforce its laws on foreign nations who maintain bases within the Territory.

Research

The British Antractic Survey has three research stations in the Territory:

• Halley,
• Rothera
• Signy

Other nations with research stations include:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Bulgaria
• Chile
• Ecuador
• Germany
• South Korea
• Peru
• Poland
• Russia
• Spain
• Ukraine
• United States
• Uruguay

Postage stamps

Despite the lack of inhabitants, the Terriory issues its own postage stamps. While some are actually used by visiting tourists and resident scientists, the bulk are sold overseas to collectors. The first issue came in 1963, an engraved set with 15 values ranging from 1/2p to one pound, featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth overlooking various scenes of human activity in Antarctica. Several additional issues in the 1960s were followed by a decimalisation issue in 1971 produced by overprinting the 1963 stamps.

Since then, stamps have come out at regular intervals, about 10-20 per year in several sets, with a full definitive series every few years (polar explorers in 1973, plankton in 1984, fossils in 1990, research ships in 1993, etc.). The design topics are related to either Antarctic research or to the native life of Antarctica.

External links

• UK Foreign Office homepage
• British Antarctic Survey

es:Territorio Antártico Británico fr:Territoire britannique de l'Antarctique nl:Brits Antarctisch Territorium ja:イギリス領南極地域 sl:Britanski antarktični teritorij sv:Brittiska Antarktis uk:Англійські антарктичні території