Antarctica is a continent located at the southernmost part of the world. It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean and is not directly bordered by any country. However, several countries have claimed portions of Antarctica, which are referred to as territories. The closest country to Antarctica is Chile, followed by Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. In this essay, we will explore each of these countries’ proximity to Antarctica and their territorial claims on the continent.
- Chile Chile is the country closest to Antarctica, with its southernmost city, Punta Arenas, located just over 3,090 kilometers (1,920 miles) away from the continent. Chile has had a presence in Antarctica since the early 1940s, and currently, it claims a portion of the continent called the Chilean Antarctic Territory. This territory is located between 53°W and 90°W and encompasses an area of 1,250,000 square kilometers (480,000 square miles). Chile also has several research stations on the continent, including the Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva Base and the Bernardo O’Higgins Station.
- Argentina Argentina is the second closest country to Antarctica, with its southernmost city, Ushuaia, located approximately 3,360 kilometers (2,090 miles) away from the continent. Argentina has had a presence in Antarctica since the early 20th century, and currently, it claims a portion of the continent called the Argentine Antarctica. This territory is located between 25°W and 74°W and encompasses an area of 1,461,597 square kilometers (564,000 square miles). Argentina also has several research stations on the continent, including the Esperanza Base and the Marambio Base.
- Australia Australia is located across the Southern Ocean from Antarctica, with its closest point being the Australian Antarctic Territory. This territory is located between 44°38′ and 136°11’E and encompasses an area of 5,896,500 square kilometers (2,276,700 square miles). Australia has had a presence in Antarctica since the early 1900s and currently operates several research stations on the continent, including the Davis Station and the Mawson Station. Australia’s proximity to Antarctica has also made it an important partner in international efforts to conserve and manage the continent’s unique environment.
- New Zealand New Zealand is located approximately 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) away from Antarctica and has had a presence on the continent since the early 1900s. The country currently claims a portion of the continent called the Ross Dependency, which is located between 160°E and 150°W and encompasses an area of 450,000 square kilometers (174,000 square miles). New Zealand operates several research stations on the continent, including the Scott Base and the McMurdo Station. The country’s proximity to Antarctica has also made it an important partner in international efforts to protect the continent’s environment and wildlife.
In conclusion, several countries have claimed portions of Antarctica, which is the closest to Chile. Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand also have a presence on the continent and operate research stations. These countries have made significant contributions to understanding and managing Antarctica’s unique environment, and their proximity to the continent has made them important partners in international efforts to conserve the continent’s environment and wildlife.
Apart from these four countries, several other nations also have research stations in Antarctica, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. However, these countries do not have territorial claims on the continent.
Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, a multilateral agreement that regulates the continent’s management and scientific research. The treaty was signed in 1959 and has been ratified by 54 countries to date, including all the countries mentioned above. The treaty stipulates that Antarctica shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and that scientific research shall be conducted freely. It also prohibits any military activity, nuclear explosions, and the disposal of nuclear waste on the continent.