Colonial Empires Questions Medium
The major colonial powers in Antarctica and their respective territories were:
1. United Kingdom: The United Kingdom claimed a significant portion of Antarctica known as the British Antarctic Territory. This territory covers an area of approximately 660,000 square miles and includes the Antarctic Peninsula and several surrounding islands.
2. Argentina: Argentina claimed a region of Antarctica called the Argentine Antarctica, which covers an area of about 965,000 square miles. This territory includes the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, and a portion of the Antarctic Peninsula.
3. Chile: Chile claimed a section of Antarctica known as the Chilean Antarctic Territory. This territory covers an area of around 480,000 square miles and includes the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and several other islands.
4. Australia: Australia claimed a portion of Antarctica called the Australian Antarctic Territory. This territory covers an area of approximately 5.9 million square kilometers and includes the Australian Antarctic Peninsula, the Amery Ice Shelf, and several other regions.
5. New Zealand: New Zealand claimed a region of Antarctica known as the Ross Dependency. This territory covers an area of about 450,000 square kilometers and includes the Ross Ice Shelf, the Ross Sea, and several islands in the area.
It is important to note that while these countries have made territorial claims in Antarctica, the Antarctic Treaty System, which came into effect in 1961, has suspended these claims and established Antarctica as a scientific preserve, dedicated to peaceful and cooperative research.