For the majority of Americans, including those well-traveled, the continent of Antarctica presents a vague impression. This continent is very dark and very cold – nearly completely devoid of human influence, other than a few stations set up for scientific study. What most don’t realize is how unique Antarctica is. The United States, along with numerous other nations, have all agreed to forbid weapons and hostile action within the continent’s borders. You will find that further information on Antarctic Cruising Trips is on that site.
Antarctica was discovered by sealers in the early 19th century. Yet more than 160 years after this brilliant discovery, the whole continent is still a mystery to mankind. If you combine both Mexico and the United States, Antarctica would be the same landmass size. A humongous icecap covers 98 percent of the land. Antarctica has untold and undiscovered resources and this makes the continent extremely unusual as compared to any other.
Experts believe that there are many minerals deep within the continent itself underneath the frozen icecap, as well as the potential for offshore oil sources and swarms of krill that swim in its waters. Alone among the continents of the world, Antarctica is a land of peace. Its peace has been unbroken for decades now, and it is hoped that the political unrest in the rest of the world won’t disturb the tranquility of this quiet land.
A lot of activity happened on the continent of Antarctica back in the 1920s, lasting all the way through the early 1940s. 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 is not hospitable to military involvement. Though most countries peacefully coexisted on the continent beforehand, the Antarctic Treaty of 1859 solidified the harmony. This site teaches you about antarctic cruise ships.
This treaty was not very detailed, which lead to revisions many years later; during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-1958, twelve countries organized to expand on the original document. These signers had determined, through their activities during the IGY, the methods of cooperating in Antarctica, fundamentally declaring science as the overwhelming national and international purpose.
Antarctica was effectively demilitarized with the signing of this treaty. Military units may only be dispatched here to assist scientific exploration. There can be no radioactive waste storage, atomic weapon detonations, not any type of military function. In addition, the Antarctic Treaty provides for unilateral on-site inspection, the only arms control treaty in existence which contains such language. The treaty has not resolved some existing territorial claims, but scientific expeditions are allowed to travel freely on the continent or within the waters surrounding Antarctica.
To date, the Unite Nations has not become involved directly in Antarctic business. The countries that signed the Antarctic Treaty have in fact discouraged any actions by the United Nations. 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.
There was a time the world was concerned that the continent of Antarctica would become nothing more than a ping pong ball in a game between the developing world and the rich, industrial nations. Recent evolutions have come forth that have provided some very interesting developments. Certain of the larger developing nations, such as China, India and a few in the Americas, have shown interest in aligning themselves with the Antarctic Treaty.
The treaty has had several Latin nations join as “acceding powers.” This means that while they agree with the terms of the treaty they are unable to cast a vote on related matters because they are not scientifically active in Antarctica. In this way, the industrializing nations do not remain outside the tent hurling rocks at it, but instead are included under the big tent.
