The Antarctic Treaty
No country owns Antarctica, although seven nations (UK, NZ, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Norway and France) have claimed portions of it.
Forty-four nations have signed the Antarctic Treaty. The main points are:
- All territorial claims are to be set aside
- Antarctica is to be used for peaceful purposes only
- All scientific information is to be shared
- All vessels and scientific stations are to be open for inspection at all times
- Nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste are prohibited.
In 1991 all the treaty signatories agreed on a protocol for environmental protection which included:
- Environmental assessments being carried out before any human activity begins
- Pollution and waste disposal regulations
- Wildlife conservation regulations
- A ban on mineral exploration until 2048.