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Antarctica is the only continent
with no nations. While seven nations (not
including the United States) have made claims
to Antarctica, no single nation controls any part
of the continent. The
Antarctic Treaty governs the actions of people
in Antarctica. The links below are to more information
on the treaty.
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The 12 nations listed in the preamble
signed the Antarctic Treaty on 1 December 1959 at Washington,
D.C. The Treaty entered into force on 23 June 1961; the
12 signatories became the original 12 consultative nations.
As of May 2000, 15 additional nations (Brazil, Bulgaria,
China, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands,
Poland, Peru, Republic of Korea, Sweden, Spain, and Uruguay)
have achieved consultative status by acceding to the Treaty
and by conducting substantial scientific research in Antarctica.
Russia carries forward the signatory privileges and responsibilities
established by the former Soviet Union.
Another 17 nations have acceded to the Antarctic Treaty:
Austria, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Democratic
Peoples Republic of Korea, Denmark, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary,
Papua New Guinea, Romania, Slovak Republic, Switzerland,
Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela. These nations agree to abide
by the treaty and may attend consultative meetings as observers.
The 44 Antarctic Treaty nations represent about two-thirds
of the world's human population.
Consultative meetings have been held approximately every
other year since the treaty entered into force, but since
1993 they have been held more frequently. Each meeting has
generated recommendations regarding operation of the treaty
that, when ratified by the participating governments, become
binding on the parties to the treaty.
Additional meetings within the Antarctic Treaty system
have produced agreements on conservation of seals, conservation
of living resources, and comprehensive environmental protection.
What follows is the complete text of the Antarctic Treaty.
The headings for each article were added by the National
Science Foundation and are unofficial.
Click here for the complete Antarctic
Treaty
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