Argentine Antarctica is a sector of
Antarctica claimed by
ArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
as part of its
national territory"National Territory" is translated from "Territorio nacional", a term used for territories in Argentina. The last national territory was the Tierra del Fuego Province, which was given the status of a province in 1990....
. The Argentine Antarctic region, consisting of the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
and a triangular section extending to the
South PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
, is delimited by the
25° WestThe meridian 25° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde Islands, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
and
74° WestThe meridian 74° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
meridians and the
60° SouthThe 60th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 60 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel—it crosses nothing but ocean...
parallel. Administratively, Argentine Antarctica is a
departmentDepartments form the second level of administrative division in the provinces of Argentina. There are no departments in the city of Buenos Aires, which has so far been divided into neighbourhoods as its administrative divisions, but is to be divided now into communes by a recently passed local act...
of the
provinceArgentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city...
of
Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic IslandsTierra del Fuego is an Argentine province entirely separated from mainland Argentina by the Strait of Magellan. It includes:* The eastern part of the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego archipelago and the Staten Island.* Argentina's claims to the Falkland Islands and to...
. The provincial authorities reside in
UshuaiaUshuaia may refer to the following:*Ushuaia, a city in Argentina.**Ushuaia Department, an administrative division**Ushuaia River**Ushuaia International Airport**Colegio Nacional de Ushuaia, National School of Ushuaia....
and the Governor annually designates his or her delegate for the Antarctica region. The "civil power" of any of the administrators extends no further than that nation's own bases.
The Argentine exploration to the continent started early in the 20th century.
José María SobralAlférez de Navío José María Sobral was an Argentine military scientist and Antarctic explorer....
was the first Argentine to set foot on Antarctica in 1901, where he spent 2 seasons with the
Swedish Antarctic ExpeditionThe Swedish Antarctic Expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld and Carl Anton Larsen.-Background:Otto Nordenskjöld, a Swedish geologist and geographer, organized and lead a scientific expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula...
of Doctor
Otto NordenskiöldNils Otto Gustaf Nordenskjöld was a Finnish and Swedish geologist, geographer, and polar explorer.-Biography:...
. Shortly afterwards, in 1904, the
Orcadas permanent baseBase Orcadas is an Argentine station in Antarctica, and the first permanent Antarctic station in the area defined by the Antarctic Treaty System. It is located on Laurie Island, one of the South Orkney Islands , at above sea level and from the coastline....
was already fully operational. Years later other bases would be created, some permanent and others seasonal. The first Argentine expedition to reach the
South PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
was the 1965
Operación 90Operación 90 was the first Argentine ground expedition to the South Pole, conducted in 1965, by ten soldiers of the Argentine Army under then-Colonel Jorge E. Leal. It was performed to attempt to cement Argentina's claims to a portion of Antarctica, as well as for scientific reasons and to perfect...
.
Argentine actions in Antarctica are coordinated by the
Instituto Antartico ArgentinoThe Instituto Antártico Argentino is the Argentine federal agency in charge of orientating, controlling, addressing and performing scientific and technical research and studies in the Antarctic....
According the last Argentine national census, on October 2010 (winter) there were 230 habitants in the six permament bases, including 9 families and 16 children as follow: 75 at
MarambioPrior to the base's foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200 m long, 40 m wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon,...
, 66 at
Esperanza-References:*Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.*Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73....
, 33 at
JubanyJubany Scientific Station is an Argentine permanent base in the Antarctic located at , first settled in 1953 in the 25 de Mayo island among the South Shetland Islands. It has a maximum population of 60 people...
, 20 at
San MartínThe San Martín Base is an Argentine base in Antarctica, operated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino and located on the Barry Island near the Antarctic Peninsula's mountain range. It was founded on March 21, 1951 by Argentine Army Colonel D. H. Pujato, who named the base after the Argentine...
, 19 at Belgrano II and 17 at Orcadas
Geography
The geographic structure of the Argentine Antarctica continues some features of the
PatagoniaPatagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
, located to the north of it. The highest peaks are located at the south of the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
, which has islands and
archipelagoAn archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
s nearby. The land is under an
ice sheetAn ice sheet is a mass of glacier ice that covers surrounding terrain and is greater than 50,000 km² , thus also known as continental glacier...
.
The region has a
polar climateRegions with a polar climate are characterized by a lack of warm summers . Regions with polar climate cover over 20% of the Earth. The sun shines 24 hours in the summer, and barely ever shines at all in the winter...
, with strong winds, snow and thick clouds.
Argentine bases
Esperanza and Marambio are the biggest Argentine bases, holding together 70 buildings, an average of 110 people during the winter, and over a maximum of 250 during the summer. Orcadas Base, located at the
South Orkney IslandsThe South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, about north-east of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. They have a total area of about ....
off the Antarctic mainland (see map, right), was the world's first base in the Antarctic region, operating continuously since 1903. The southernmost Argentine permanent base is
Belgrano IIBelgrano II is an Argentine research station in Antarctica located at -History:In 1955, General Hernan Pujato founded the first Belgrano station, remaining for years as the southernmost base. On February 5, 1979 the Belgrano II was opened as replacement of the previous base...
, at over 77 degrees south. The southernmost summer base is Sobral, at 1450 km (901 mi) from
Belgrano II.
The bases are supplied by the ships:
Puerto DeseadoThe ARA Puerto Deseado is an oceanographic survey ship in service in the Argentine Navy. She has a reinforced hull in order to operate in waters around Antarctica.-History:...
,
Suboficial CastilloThe ARA Suboficial Castillo is a Abnaki class tug patrol boat of the Argentine Navy. She previously served in the US Navy as USS Takelma from 1944 to 1976....
, and
Almirante IrizarThe ARA Almirante Irízar is a large icebreaker of the Argentine Navy. The ship is currently out of service since 2007, when a fire broke out in the auxiliary generator compartment...
, and by
C-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
and
DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
aircraft.
Permanent
- Belgrano II
Belgrano II is an Argentine research station in Antarctica located at -History:In 1955, General Hernan Pujato founded the first Belgrano station, remaining for years as the southernmost base. On February 5, 1979 the Belgrano II was opened as replacement of the previous base...
, (77°52′S 34°37′W) Laboratory and meteorological station ArgentineArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
southernmost base (since 1979).
- Esperanza
-References:*Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.*Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73....
(63°24′S 57°00′W) Laboratory and meteorological station (since 1952). Radio LRA Arcángel, School #38 Julio A. Roca (since 1978), tourist facilities.
- Jubany
Jubany Scientific Station is an Argentine permanent base in the Antarctic located at , first settled in 1953 in the 25 de Mayo island among the South Shetland Islands. It has a maximum population of 60 people...
, (62°14′S 58°40′W) Scientific station at King George Island
- Marambio Base
Prior to the base's foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200 m long, 40 m wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon,...
Station, (64°14′S 56°37′W) Seymour-Marambio Island. Laboratory, meteorological station, 1.2 km long, 30m wide landing track (since 1969) (website)
- Orcadas Base
Base Orcadas is an Argentine station in Antarctica, and the first permanent Antarctic station in the area defined by the Antarctic Treaty System. It is located on Laurie Island, one of the South Orkney Islands , at above sea level and from the coastline....
(60°44′S 44°44′W) Orcadas Islands (since 1903)
- San Martín Base
The San Martín Base is an Argentine base in Antarctica, operated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino and located on the Barry Island near the Antarctic Peninsula's mountain range. It was founded on March 21, 1951 by Argentine Army Colonel D. H. Pujato, who named the base after the Argentine...
(68°08′S 67°06′W) (since 1951) Laboratory and Meteorological measurements
Seasonal
- Teniente Camara Base (1957) 62°02′S 58°42′W, Livingstone Island
- Base Deception (1948) 62°52′S 60°43′W, Deception Island
- Petrel Air Station (1967) 63°28′S 56°17′W Dundee Island
Dundee Island is an ice-covered island lying east of the northeastern tip of Antarctic Peninsula and south of Joinville Island.On January 8, 1893, during the Dundee Whaling Expedition, the island was named by Captain Thomas Robertson of the Active and named for the home port, Dundee, Scotland,...
- Primavera Base (1977) 64°09′S 60°57′W, Alejandrina Island
- Des. Navy Melchior Base(1947 64°20′S 62°59′W Anvers Island
Anvers Island or Antwerp Island or Antwerpen Island or Isla Amberes is a high, mountainous island long, which is the largest feature in the Palmer Archipelago, lying southwest of Brabant Island at the southwestern end of the group. Anvers Island is located at...
- Almirante Brown Base(1951) 64°53′S 62°53′W, Paradise Bay
- Teniente Matienzo Base
The Base Aérea Teniente Benjamín Matienzo is an Antarctic station, managed by the Argentine Air Force. It a temporary base, only open in the summer months...
(1961) 64°58′S 60°04′W, Nunatak Larsen
Camps and other
(64 in all)
- Base Alférez de Navío Sobral (1965) 81°05′S 40°00′W, Edith Ronne Land
- Estación Científica Ellsworth (ex USA) (1958) 77°45′S 41°00′W, Weddell Sea
The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean and contains the Weddell Gyre. Its land boundaries are defined by the bay formed from the coasts of Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. The easternmost point is Cape Norvegia at Princess Martha Coast, Queen Maud Land. To the east of Cape Norvegia is...
- Base Gurruchaga 62°15′S 59°00′W, Nelson Island
Nelson Island is an island long and wide, lying southwest of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Nelson Island is located at...
- Campamento Científico Livingston
Camp Livingston is an Argentine seasonal base camp on Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The area was visited by early 19th century sealers.-Location:...
62°39′22"S 61°00′39"W, Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island
Argentine claim
According to historical claims, the Argentine presence in the section began during the first decade of the 20th century; though some even affirm that it took place by the end of the previous century. However, navigators from other countries claimed the discovery of Antarctica for themselves. By the end of the 20th century the aid lent by Argentina to foreign expeditions, in particular that of
Nordensöld, Gerlache and CharcotThe Swedish Antarctic Expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld and Carl Anton Larsen.-Background:Otto Nordenskjöld, a Swedish geologist and geographer, organized and lead a scientific expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula...
, was properly appreciated. This included the assignment of Argentine place names to Antarctic geographic features, such as the Argentine Islands, Uruguay Islands, General Roca, Quintana, and others.
In 1904 the permanent occupation began with the opening of Orcadas Base on
Laurie IslandLaurie Island is an island in the Antarctic Circle, the second largest of the South Orkney Islands. The island is claimed by both Argentina as part of Argentine Antarctica, and the United Kingdom as part of the British Antarctic Territory...
just off the Antarctic mainland. Argentina was the only nation to have an Antarctic base for 40 years until the British built a base on the same islands.
Argentina bases its claims on this sector of
Antarctica on the following grounds:
- The Antarctic peninsula is geologically and geographically part of the Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
.
- Argentina has maintained a permanent occupation for more than a century, and controls the oldest base in Antarctica (Orcadas Station on Laurie Island).
- Argentina conducts many rescue missions in Antarctica.
- Argentina has constructed lighthouses and other navigational aids in Antarctica.
- Argentina constructed Antarctica's first airport in 1969
- Argentines form more of Antarctica's peninsula's population than nationals of any other country.
- The first Antarctican was born in Esperanza Base (Hope Base), namely Emilio Palma
Emilio Marcos Palma is an Argentine national who is the first person known to be born on the continent of Antarctica. Emilio weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces when born in Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula...
.
- Argentina has sent more people to Antarctica than all the other countries together.
Argentina's claim to the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
overlaps with the
Antarctic claims of ChileAntártica Chilena Province is the southernmost and one of four provinces in Chile's southernmost region, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region . The capital is Puerto Williams...
,
53°WThe meridian 53° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Newfoundland, the Atlantic Ocean, South America, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
to
90°WThe meridian 90° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
, and the
UK claimsThe British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes and , forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole...
,
20°WThe meridian 20° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
to
80°WThe meridian 80° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, Central America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole.In Antarctica, the...
, and is not recognized by most other countries. See
List of Antarctic territorial claims.
Currently, there are no attempts by Argentina or any other country to enforce territorial claims in Antarctica.
Demographics
In 1978, the first Antarctic baby was born in the
Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base under the name
Emilio PalmaEmilio Marcos Palma is an Argentine national who is the first person known to be born on the continent of Antarctica. Emilio weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces when born in Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula...
. In 1991 there were 142 "permanent residents" including 19 minors. "Residents" are families that live in Antarctica or scientists that have lived for more than two years. They were 121 men and 21 women that lived mostly in the colony of Esperanza and other bases. As of 1998-1999, Argentine Antarctica had a winter population of 165.
Argentine Antarctica is a sector of
Antarctica claimed by
ArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
as part of its
national territory"National Territory" is translated from "Territorio nacional", a term used for territories in Argentina. The last national territory was the Tierra del Fuego Province, which was given the status of a province in 1990....
. The Argentine Antarctic region, consisting of the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
and a triangular section extending to the
South PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
, is delimited by the
25° WestThe meridian 25° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde Islands, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
and
74° WestThe meridian 74° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
meridians and the
60° SouthThe 60th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 60 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel—it crosses nothing but ocean...
parallel. Administratively, Argentine Antarctica is a
departmentDepartments form the second level of administrative division in the provinces of Argentina. There are no departments in the city of Buenos Aires, which has so far been divided into neighbourhoods as its administrative divisions, but is to be divided now into communes by a recently passed local act...
of the
provinceArgentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city...
of
Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic IslandsTierra del Fuego is an Argentine province entirely separated from mainland Argentina by the Strait of Magellan. It includes:* The eastern part of the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego archipelago and the Staten Island.* Argentina's claims to the Falkland Islands and to...
. The provincial authorities reside in
UshuaiaUshuaia may refer to the following:*Ushuaia, a city in Argentina.**Ushuaia Department, an administrative division**Ushuaia River**Ushuaia International Airport**Colegio Nacional de Ushuaia, National School of Ushuaia....
and the Governor annually designates his or her delegate for the Antarctica region. The "civil power" of any of the administrators extends no further than that nation's own bases.
The Argentine exploration to the continent started early in the 20th century.
José María SobralAlférez de Navío José María Sobral was an Argentine military scientist and Antarctic explorer....
was the first Argentine to set foot on Antarctica in 1901, where he spent 2 seasons with the
Swedish Antarctic ExpeditionThe Swedish Antarctic Expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld and Carl Anton Larsen.-Background:Otto Nordenskjöld, a Swedish geologist and geographer, organized and lead a scientific expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula...
of Doctor
Otto NordenskiöldNils Otto Gustaf Nordenskjöld was a Finnish and Swedish geologist, geographer, and polar explorer.-Biography:...
. Shortly afterwards, in 1904, the
Orcadas permanent baseBase Orcadas is an Argentine station in Antarctica, and the first permanent Antarctic station in the area defined by the Antarctic Treaty System. It is located on Laurie Island, one of the South Orkney Islands , at above sea level and from the coastline....
was already fully operational. Years later other bases would be created, some permanent and others seasonal. The first Argentine expedition to reach the
South PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
was the 1965
Operación 90Operación 90 was the first Argentine ground expedition to the South Pole, conducted in 1965, by ten soldiers of the Argentine Army under then-Colonel Jorge E. Leal. It was performed to attempt to cement Argentina's claims to a portion of Antarctica, as well as for scientific reasons and to perfect...
.
Argentine actions in Antarctica are coordinated by the
Instituto Antartico ArgentinoThe Instituto Antártico Argentino is the Argentine federal agency in charge of orientating, controlling, addressing and performing scientific and technical research and studies in the Antarctic....
According the last Argentine national census, on October 2010 (winter) there were 230 habitants in the six permament bases, including 9 families and 16 children as follow: 75 at
MarambioPrior to the base's foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200 m long, 40 m wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon,...
, 66 at
Esperanza-References:*Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.*Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73....
, 33 at
JubanyJubany Scientific Station is an Argentine permanent base in the Antarctic located at , first settled in 1953 in the 25 de Mayo island among the South Shetland Islands. It has a maximum population of 60 people...
, 20 at
San MartínThe San Martín Base is an Argentine base in Antarctica, operated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino and located on the Barry Island near the Antarctic Peninsula's mountain range. It was founded on March 21, 1951 by Argentine Army Colonel D. H. Pujato, who named the base after the Argentine...
, 19 at Belgrano II and 17 at Orcadas
Geography
The geographic structure of the Argentine Antarctica continues some features of the
PatagoniaPatagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
, located to the north of it. The highest peaks are located at the south of the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
, which has islands and
archipelagoAn archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
s nearby. The land is under an
ice sheetAn ice sheet is a mass of glacier ice that covers surrounding terrain and is greater than 50,000 km² , thus also known as continental glacier...
.
The region has a
polar climateRegions with a polar climate are characterized by a lack of warm summers . Regions with polar climate cover over 20% of the Earth. The sun shines 24 hours in the summer, and barely ever shines at all in the winter...
, with strong winds, snow and thick clouds.
Argentine bases
Esperanza and Marambio are the biggest Argentine bases, holding together 70 buildings, an average of 110 people during the winter, and over a maximum of 250 during the summer. Orcadas Base, located at the
South Orkney IslandsThe South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, about north-east of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. They have a total area of about ....
off the Antarctic mainland (see map, right), was the world's first base in the Antarctic region, operating continuously since 1903. The southernmost Argentine permanent base is
Belgrano IIBelgrano II is an Argentine research station in Antarctica located at -History:In 1955, General Hernan Pujato founded the first Belgrano station, remaining for years as the southernmost base. On February 5, 1979 the Belgrano II was opened as replacement of the previous base...
, at over 77 degrees south. The southernmost summer base is Sobral, at 1450 km (901 mi) from
Belgrano II.
The bases are supplied by the ships:
Puerto DeseadoThe ARA Puerto Deseado is an oceanographic survey ship in service in the Argentine Navy. She has a reinforced hull in order to operate in waters around Antarctica.-History:...
,
Suboficial CastilloThe ARA Suboficial Castillo is a Abnaki class tug patrol boat of the Argentine Navy. She previously served in the US Navy as USS Takelma from 1944 to 1976....
, and
Almirante IrizarThe ARA Almirante Irízar is a large icebreaker of the Argentine Navy. The ship is currently out of service since 2007, when a fire broke out in the auxiliary generator compartment...
, and by
C-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
and
DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
aircraft.
Permanent
- Belgrano II
Belgrano II is an Argentine research station in Antarctica located at -History:In 1955, General Hernan Pujato founded the first Belgrano station, remaining for years as the southernmost base. On February 5, 1979 the Belgrano II was opened as replacement of the previous base...
, (77°52′S 34°37′W) Laboratory and meteorological station ArgentineArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
southernmost base (since 1979).
- Esperanza
-References:*Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.*Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73....
(63°24′S 57°00′W) Laboratory and meteorological station (since 1952). Radio LRA Arcángel, School #38 Julio A. Roca (since 1978), tourist facilities.
- Jubany
Jubany Scientific Station is an Argentine permanent base in the Antarctic located at , first settled in 1953 in the 25 de Mayo island among the South Shetland Islands. It has a maximum population of 60 people...
, (62°14′S 58°40′W) Scientific station at King George Island
- Marambio Base
Prior to the base's foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200 m long, 40 m wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon,...
Station, (64°14′S 56°37′W) Seymour-Marambio Island. Laboratory, meteorological station, 1.2 km long, 30m wide landing track (since 1969) (website)
- Orcadas Base
Base Orcadas is an Argentine station in Antarctica, and the first permanent Antarctic station in the area defined by the Antarctic Treaty System. It is located on Laurie Island, one of the South Orkney Islands , at above sea level and from the coastline....
(60°44′S 44°44′W) Orcadas Islands (since 1903)
- San Martín Base
The San Martín Base is an Argentine base in Antarctica, operated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino and located on the Barry Island near the Antarctic Peninsula's mountain range. It was founded on March 21, 1951 by Argentine Army Colonel D. H. Pujato, who named the base after the Argentine...
(68°08′S 67°06′W) (since 1951) Laboratory and Meteorological measurements
Seasonal
- Teniente Camara Base (1957) 62°02′S 58°42′W, Livingstone Island
- Base Deception (1948) 62°52′S 60°43′W, Deception Island
- Petrel Air Station (1967) 63°28′S 56°17′W Dundee Island
Dundee Island is an ice-covered island lying east of the northeastern tip of Antarctic Peninsula and south of Joinville Island.On January 8, 1893, during the Dundee Whaling Expedition, the island was named by Captain Thomas Robertson of the Active and named for the home port, Dundee, Scotland,...
- Primavera Base (1977) 64°09′S 60°57′W, Alejandrina Island
- Des. Navy Melchior Base(1947 64°20′S 62°59′W Anvers Island
Anvers Island or Antwerp Island or Antwerpen Island or Isla Amberes is a high, mountainous island long, which is the largest feature in the Palmer Archipelago, lying southwest of Brabant Island at the southwestern end of the group. Anvers Island is located at...
- Almirante Brown Base(1951) 64°53′S 62°53′W, Paradise Bay
- Teniente Matienzo Base
The Base Aérea Teniente Benjamín Matienzo is an Antarctic station, managed by the Argentine Air Force. It a temporary base, only open in the summer months...
(1961) 64°58′S 60°04′W, Nunatak Larsen
Camps and other
(64 in all)
- Base Alférez de Navío Sobral (1965) 81°05′S 40°00′W, Edith Ronne Land
- Estación Científica Ellsworth (ex USA) (1958) 77°45′S 41°00′W, Weddell Sea
The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean and contains the Weddell Gyre. Its land boundaries are defined by the bay formed from the coasts of Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. The easternmost point is Cape Norvegia at Princess Martha Coast, Queen Maud Land. To the east of Cape Norvegia is...
- Base Gurruchaga 62°15′S 59°00′W, Nelson Island
Nelson Island is an island long and wide, lying southwest of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Nelson Island is located at...
- Campamento Científico Livingston
Camp Livingston is an Argentine seasonal base camp on Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The area was visited by early 19th century sealers.-Location:...
62°39′22"S 61°00′39"W, Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island
Argentine claim
According to historical claims, the Argentine presence in the section began during the first decade of the 20th century; though some even affirm that it took place by the end of the previous century. However, navigators from other countries claimed the discovery of Antarctica for themselves. By the end of the 20th century the aid lent by Argentina to foreign expeditions, in particular that of
Nordensöld, Gerlache and CharcotThe Swedish Antarctic Expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld and Carl Anton Larsen.-Background:Otto Nordenskjöld, a Swedish geologist and geographer, organized and lead a scientific expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula...
, was properly appreciated. This included the assignment of Argentine place names to Antarctic geographic features, such as the Argentine Islands, Uruguay Islands, General Roca, Quintana, and others.
In 1904 the permanent occupation began with the opening of Orcadas Base on
Laurie IslandLaurie Island is an island in the Antarctic Circle, the second largest of the South Orkney Islands. The island is claimed by both Argentina as part of Argentine Antarctica, and the United Kingdom as part of the British Antarctic Territory...
just off the Antarctic mainland. Argentina was the only nation to have an Antarctic base for 40 years until the British built a base on the same islands.
Argentina bases its claims on this sector of
Antarctica on the following grounds:
- The Antarctic peninsula is geologically and geographically part of the Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
.
- Argentina has maintained a permanent occupation for more than a century, and controls the oldest base in Antarctica (Orcadas Station on Laurie Island).
- Argentina conducts many rescue missions in Antarctica.
- Argentina has constructed lighthouses and other navigational aids in Antarctica.
- Argentina constructed Antarctica's first airport in 1969
- Argentines form more of Antarctica's peninsula's population than nationals of any other country.
- The first Antarctican was born in Esperanza Base (Hope Base), namely Emilio Palma
Emilio Marcos Palma is an Argentine national who is the first person known to be born on the continent of Antarctica. Emilio weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces when born in Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula...
.
- Argentina has sent more people to Antarctica than all the other countries together.
Argentina's claim to the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
overlaps with the
Antarctic claims of ChileAntártica Chilena Province is the southernmost and one of four provinces in Chile's southernmost region, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region . The capital is Puerto Williams...
,
53°WThe meridian 53° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Newfoundland, the Atlantic Ocean, South America, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
to
90°WThe meridian 90° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
, and the
UK claimsThe British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes and , forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole...
,
20°WThe meridian 20° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
to
80°WThe meridian 80° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, Central America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole.In Antarctica, the...
, and is not recognized by most other countries. See
List of Antarctic territorial claims.
Currently, there are no attempts by Argentina or any other country to enforce territorial claims in Antarctica.
Demographics
In 1978, the first Antarctic baby was born in the
Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base under the name
Emilio PalmaEmilio Marcos Palma is an Argentine national who is the first person known to be born on the continent of Antarctica. Emilio weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces when born in Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula...
. In 1991 there were 142 "permanent residents" including 19 minors. "Residents" are families that live in Antarctica or scientists that have lived for more than two years. They were 121 men and 21 women that lived mostly in the colony of Esperanza and other bases. As of 1998-1999, Argentine Antarctica had a winter population of 165.
Argentine Antarctica is a sector of
Antarctica claimed by
ArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
as part of its
national territory"National Territory" is translated from "Territorio nacional", a term used for territories in Argentina. The last national territory was the Tierra del Fuego Province, which was given the status of a province in 1990....
. The Argentine Antarctic region, consisting of the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
and a triangular section extending to the
South PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
, is delimited by the
25° WestThe meridian 25° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde Islands, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
and
74° WestThe meridian 74° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
meridians and the
60° SouthThe 60th parallel south is a circle of latitude that is 60 degrees south of the Earth's equatorial plane. No land lies on the parallel—it crosses nothing but ocean...
parallel. Administratively, Argentine Antarctica is a
departmentDepartments form the second level of administrative division in the provinces of Argentina. There are no departments in the city of Buenos Aires, which has so far been divided into neighbourhoods as its administrative divisions, but is to be divided now into communes by a recently passed local act...
of the
provinceArgentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city...
of
Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic IslandsTierra del Fuego is an Argentine province entirely separated from mainland Argentina by the Strait of Magellan. It includes:* The eastern part of the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego archipelago and the Staten Island.* Argentina's claims to the Falkland Islands and to...
. The provincial authorities reside in
UshuaiaUshuaia may refer to the following:*Ushuaia, a city in Argentina.**Ushuaia Department, an administrative division**Ushuaia River**Ushuaia International Airport**Colegio Nacional de Ushuaia, National School of Ushuaia....
and the Governor annually designates his or her delegate for the Antarctica region. The "civil power" of any of the administrators extends no further than that nation's own bases.
The Argentine exploration to the continent started early in the 20th century.
José María SobralAlférez de Navío José María Sobral was an Argentine military scientist and Antarctic explorer....
was the first Argentine to set foot on Antarctica in 1901, where he spent 2 seasons with the
Swedish Antarctic ExpeditionThe Swedish Antarctic Expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld and Carl Anton Larsen.-Background:Otto Nordenskjöld, a Swedish geologist and geographer, organized and lead a scientific expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula...
of Doctor
Otto NordenskiöldNils Otto Gustaf Nordenskjöld was a Finnish and Swedish geologist, geographer, and polar explorer.-Biography:...
. Shortly afterwards, in 1904, the
Orcadas permanent baseBase Orcadas is an Argentine station in Antarctica, and the first permanent Antarctic station in the area defined by the Antarctic Treaty System. It is located on Laurie Island, one of the South Orkney Islands , at above sea level and from the coastline....
was already fully operational. Years later other bases would be created, some permanent and others seasonal. The first Argentine expedition to reach the
South PoleThe South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
was the 1965
Operación 90Operación 90 was the first Argentine ground expedition to the South Pole, conducted in 1965, by ten soldiers of the Argentine Army under then-Colonel Jorge E. Leal. It was performed to attempt to cement Argentina's claims to a portion of Antarctica, as well as for scientific reasons and to perfect...
.
Argentine actions in Antarctica are coordinated by the
Instituto Antartico ArgentinoThe Instituto Antártico Argentino is the Argentine federal agency in charge of orientating, controlling, addressing and performing scientific and technical research and studies in the Antarctic....
According the last Argentine national census, on October 2010 (winter) there were 230 habitants in the six permament bases, including 9 families and 16 children as follow: 75 at
MarambioPrior to the base's foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200 m long, 40 m wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon,...
, 66 at
Esperanza-References:*Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.*Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73....
, 33 at
JubanyJubany Scientific Station is an Argentine permanent base in the Antarctic located at , first settled in 1953 in the 25 de Mayo island among the South Shetland Islands. It has a maximum population of 60 people...
, 20 at
San MartínThe San Martín Base is an Argentine base in Antarctica, operated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino and located on the Barry Island near the Antarctic Peninsula's mountain range. It was founded on March 21, 1951 by Argentine Army Colonel D. H. Pujato, who named the base after the Argentine...
, 19 at Belgrano II and 17 at Orcadas
Geography
The geographic structure of the Argentine Antarctica continues some features of the
PatagoniaPatagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
, located to the north of it. The highest peaks are located at the south of the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
, which has islands and
archipelagoAn archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
s nearby. The land is under an
ice sheetAn ice sheet is a mass of glacier ice that covers surrounding terrain and is greater than 50,000 km² , thus also known as continental glacier...
.
The region has a
polar climateRegions with a polar climate are characterized by a lack of warm summers . Regions with polar climate cover over 20% of the Earth. The sun shines 24 hours in the summer, and barely ever shines at all in the winter...
, with strong winds, snow and thick clouds.
Argentine bases
Esperanza and Marambio are the biggest Argentine bases, holding together 70 buildings, an average of 110 people during the winter, and over a maximum of 250 during the summer. Orcadas Base, located at the
South Orkney IslandsThe South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, about north-east of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. They have a total area of about ....
off the Antarctic mainland (see map, right), was the world's first base in the Antarctic region, operating continuously since 1903. The southernmost Argentine permanent base is
Belgrano IIBelgrano II is an Argentine research station in Antarctica located at -History:In 1955, General Hernan Pujato founded the first Belgrano station, remaining for years as the southernmost base. On February 5, 1979 the Belgrano II was opened as replacement of the previous base...
, at over 77 degrees south. The southernmost summer base is Sobral, at 1450 km (901 mi) from
Belgrano II.
The bases are supplied by the ships:
Puerto DeseadoThe ARA Puerto Deseado is an oceanographic survey ship in service in the Argentine Navy. She has a reinforced hull in order to operate in waters around Antarctica.-History:...
,
Suboficial CastilloThe ARA Suboficial Castillo is a Abnaki class tug patrol boat of the Argentine Navy. She previously served in the US Navy as USS Takelma from 1944 to 1976....
, and
Almirante IrizarThe ARA Almirante Irízar is a large icebreaker of the Argentine Navy. The ship is currently out of service since 2007, when a fire broke out in the auxiliary generator compartment...
, and by
C-130 HerculesThe Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
and
DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
aircraft.
Permanent
- Belgrano II
Belgrano II is an Argentine research station in Antarctica located at -History:In 1955, General Hernan Pujato founded the first Belgrano station, remaining for years as the southernmost base. On February 5, 1979 the Belgrano II was opened as replacement of the previous base...
, (77°52′S 34°37′W) Laboratory and meteorological station ArgentineArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
southernmost base (since 1979).
- Esperanza
-References:*Antarctica. Sydney: Reader's Digest, 1985, p. 156-157.*Child, Jack. Antarctica and South American Geopolitics: Frozen Lebensraum. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1988, p. 73....
(63°24′S 57°00′W) Laboratory and meteorological station (since 1952). Radio LRA Arcángel, School #38 Julio A. Roca (since 1978), tourist facilities.
- Jubany
Jubany Scientific Station is an Argentine permanent base in the Antarctic located at , first settled in 1953 in the 25 de Mayo island among the South Shetland Islands. It has a maximum population of 60 people...
, (62°14′S 58°40′W) Scientific station at King George Island
- Marambio Base
Prior to the base's foundation a team led by Vice-Commodore Mario Luis Olezza built the 1200 m long, 40 m wide landing track, the first one in the continent. Nowadays, the track, oriented 05/23, is equipped with VOR, DME and NDB electronic landing systems. It also has a radio beacon,...
Station, (64°14′S 56°37′W) Seymour-Marambio Island. Laboratory, meteorological station, 1.2 km long, 30m wide landing track (since 1969) (website)
- Orcadas Base
Base Orcadas is an Argentine station in Antarctica, and the first permanent Antarctic station in the area defined by the Antarctic Treaty System. It is located on Laurie Island, one of the South Orkney Islands , at above sea level and from the coastline....
(60°44′S 44°44′W) Orcadas Islands (since 1903)
- San Martín Base
The San Martín Base is an Argentine base in Antarctica, operated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino and located on the Barry Island near the Antarctic Peninsula's mountain range. It was founded on March 21, 1951 by Argentine Army Colonel D. H. Pujato, who named the base after the Argentine...
(68°08′S 67°06′W) (since 1951) Laboratory and Meteorological measurements
Seasonal
- Teniente Camara Base (1957) 62°02′S 58°42′W, Livingstone Island
- Base Deception (1948) 62°52′S 60°43′W, Deception Island
- Petrel Air Station (1967) 63°28′S 56°17′W Dundee Island
Dundee Island is an ice-covered island lying east of the northeastern tip of Antarctic Peninsula and south of Joinville Island.On January 8, 1893, during the Dundee Whaling Expedition, the island was named by Captain Thomas Robertson of the Active and named for the home port, Dundee, Scotland,...
- Primavera Base (1977) 64°09′S 60°57′W, Alejandrina Island
- Des. Navy Melchior Base(1947 64°20′S 62°59′W Anvers Island
Anvers Island or Antwerp Island or Antwerpen Island or Isla Amberes is a high, mountainous island long, which is the largest feature in the Palmer Archipelago, lying southwest of Brabant Island at the southwestern end of the group. Anvers Island is located at...
- Almirante Brown Base(1951) 64°53′S 62°53′W, Paradise Bay
- Teniente Matienzo Base
The Base Aérea Teniente Benjamín Matienzo is an Antarctic station, managed by the Argentine Air Force. It a temporary base, only open in the summer months...
(1961) 64°58′S 60°04′W, Nunatak Larsen
Camps and other
(64 in all)
- Base Alférez de Navío Sobral (1965) 81°05′S 40°00′W, Edith Ronne Land
- Estación Científica Ellsworth (ex USA) (1958) 77°45′S 41°00′W, Weddell Sea
The Weddell Sea is part of the Southern Ocean and contains the Weddell Gyre. Its land boundaries are defined by the bay formed from the coasts of Coats Land and the Antarctic Peninsula. The easternmost point is Cape Norvegia at Princess Martha Coast, Queen Maud Land. To the east of Cape Norvegia is...
- Base Gurruchaga 62°15′S 59°00′W, Nelson Island
Nelson Island is an island long and wide, lying southwest of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Nelson Island is located at...
- Campamento Científico Livingston
Camp Livingston is an Argentine seasonal base camp on Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. The area was visited by early 19th century sealers.-Location:...
62°39′22"S 61°00′39"W, Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island
Argentine claim
According to historical claims, the Argentine presence in the section began during the first decade of the 20th century; though some even affirm that it took place by the end of the previous century. However, navigators from other countries claimed the discovery of Antarctica for themselves. By the end of the 20th century the aid lent by Argentina to foreign expeditions, in particular that of
Nordensöld, Gerlache and CharcotThe Swedish Antarctic Expedition was led by Otto Nordenskjöld and Carl Anton Larsen.-Background:Otto Nordenskjöld, a Swedish geologist and geographer, organized and lead a scientific expedition of the Antarctic Peninsula...
, was properly appreciated. This included the assignment of Argentine place names to Antarctic geographic features, such as the Argentine Islands, Uruguay Islands, General Roca, Quintana, and others.
In 1904 the permanent occupation began with the opening of Orcadas Base on
Laurie IslandLaurie Island is an island in the Antarctic Circle, the second largest of the South Orkney Islands. The island is claimed by both Argentina as part of Argentine Antarctica, and the United Kingdom as part of the British Antarctic Territory...
just off the Antarctic mainland. Argentina was the only nation to have an Antarctic base for 40 years until the British built a base on the same islands.
Argentina bases its claims on this sector of
Antarctica on the following grounds:
- The Antarctic peninsula is geologically and geographically part of the Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
.
- Argentina has maintained a permanent occupation for more than a century, and controls the oldest base in Antarctica (Orcadas Station on Laurie Island).
- Argentina conducts many rescue missions in Antarctica.
- Argentina has constructed lighthouses and other navigational aids in Antarctica.
- Argentina constructed Antarctica's first airport in 1969
- Argentines form more of Antarctica's peninsula's population than nationals of any other country.
- The first Antarctican was born in Esperanza Base (Hope Base), namely Emilio Palma
Emilio Marcos Palma is an Argentine national who is the first person known to be born on the continent of Antarctica. Emilio weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces when born in Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula...
.
- Argentina has sent more people to Antarctica than all the other countries together.
Argentina's claim to the
Antarctic PeninsulaThe Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
overlaps with the
Antarctic claims of ChileAntártica Chilena Province is the southernmost and one of four provinces in Chile's southernmost region, Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region . The capital is Puerto Williams...
,
53°WThe meridian 53° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Newfoundland, the Atlantic Ocean, South America, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
to
90°WThe meridian 90° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
, and the
UK claimsThe British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes and , forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole...
,
20°WThe meridian 20° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
to
80°WThe meridian 80° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, Central America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole.In Antarctica, the...
, and is not recognized by most other countries. See
List of Antarctic territorial claims.
Currently, there are no attempts by Argentina or any other country to enforce territorial claims in Antarctica.
Demographics
In 1978, the first Antarctic baby was born in the
Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base under the name
Emilio PalmaEmilio Marcos Palma is an Argentine national who is the first person known to be born on the continent of Antarctica. Emilio weighed 7 pounds and 8 ounces when born in Fortín Sargento Cabral at the Esperanza Base near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula...
. In 1991 there were 142 "permanent residents" including 19 minors. "Residents" are families that live in Antarctica or scientists that have lived for more than two years. They were 121 men and 21 women that lived mostly in the colony of Esperanza and other bases. As of 1998-1999, Argentine Antarctica had a winter population of 165.
See also
- Argentine actions in Antarctica
- Antártica
The Chilean Antarctic Territory is the territory in Antarctica claimed by Chile. The Chilean Antarctic Territory ranges from 53°W to 90°W and from the South Pole to 60°S, partially overlapping Argentine and British Antarctic claims...
and Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region
- British Antarctic Territory
The British Antarctic Territory is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes and , forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole...
- Antarctic Treaty System
The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land...
- List of Antarctic territorial claims
- Beagle Channel Arbitration
On 22 July 1971 Salvador Allende and Alejandro Lanusse, the Presidents of Chile and Argentina, signed an arbitration agreement . This agreement related to their dispute over the territorial and maritime boundaries between them, and in particular the title to the Picton, Nueva and Lennox islands...
- Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
- South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
- South Orkney Islands
The South Orkney Islands are a group of islands in the Southern Ocean, about north-east of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. They have a total area of about ....
External links