The 'British Antarctic Territory' is a sector of
Antarctica claimed by the
United Kingdom and is a
British overseas territory. It is 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 Orkney Islands, and the
South Shetland Islands.
The Territory overlaps other claims on Antarctica by
Argentina (
Argentine Antarctica) and
Chile (
Antártica Chilena Province).
The Territory is inhabited largely by the staff of research and support stations operated and maintained by the
British Antarctic Survey and other organisations.
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 declaring sovereignty over the territory that is British Antarctic Territory today, as well as
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The territory was governed as three separate dependencies; Graham Land, the South Orkneys, and the South Shetlands, administered 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). 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.
Geography
In addition to continental Antarctica, within which the BAT claim includes the
Palmer Land peninsula, and the
Ronne Ice Shelf,
Weddell Sea, the territory also includes the
South Shetland Islands and
South Orkney Islands.
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.
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.
Research
The British Antarctic Survey has three permanently staffed research stations in the Territory:
★
Halley
★
Rothera
★
Signy
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.
Postage stamps
Main articles: Postage stamps of British Antarctic Territory
External links
★
KCountryProfile&aid=1018952685006 UK Foreign Office homepage
★
British Antarctic Survey
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