Which country owns Antarctica?

Let's explore how this unique agreement has become one of the most powerful and inspiring examples of global governance on Earth, establishing Antarctica as a continent shared by all humanity.

On December 1, 1959, twelve countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the United States, and the Soviet Union) met in Washington, D.C., to sign the historic Antarctic Treaty.

Shortly after humans first discovered Antarctica in 1820, countries began claiming different parts of the continent. By 1959, seven countries had made individual claims: Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, each outlining its proposed territory. Antarctica was depicted on a map as a circle, with each country claiming a percentage of the continent, much like a slice of pizza.

Some wonder which country has the largest claim to Antarctica. While no single country claims the entire continent, Australia's claim is the largest, encompassing 42% of Antarctica's total area, a staggering six million square kilometers.

Each country had its own reasons for making a claim: its role in early exploration, its continuous presence in Antarctica, its geographical proximity, or its geological connections. However, these unilateral claims to an uninhabited landmass have sparked considerable controversy. Tensions escalated, and most countries, including the United States and the Soviet Union, refused to recognize these claims. Sharp disputes arose between Argentina, Chile, and Great Britain due to overlapping claims to the Antarctic Peninsula. The situation worsened during World War II. Despite its remoteness, Antarctica became a focal point of the war when a German warship entered its waters in 1941. The warship seized eight Norwegian whaling vessels and confiscated 20,000 tons of whale oil. Whale oil, used in the manufacture of explosives, was a scarce and valuable resource during the war. With the confirmed presence of warships in Antarctic waters, rumors began to circulate about German submarines patrolling the Southern Ocean.

By the 1950s, many countries feared the potential use of Antarctica for future military purposes, including nuclear weapons testing. As the Cold War intensified between the world's superpowers, the largely unexplored Antarctic region became a major source of concern.

In the summer of 1957–1958, scientists from twelve countries traveled to Antarctica to conduct scientific research as part of the International Geophysical Year. Despite political tensions, they collaborated, shared data, and supported each other's efforts on this remote, frozen continent.

Scientists from diverse disciplines, including oceanography, geomagnetism, and geology, fostered a growing understanding of Earth as a global system. Most importantly, they discovered the pivotal role Antarctica plays within this system and its significance to the entire planet.

The International Geophysical Year marked a turning point for Antarctica. Scientists demonstrated not only Antarctica's importance to the Earth system as a whole but also a potential path for international governance in Antarctica through enhanced science, cooperation, and coordination.

The following year, the twelve nations participating in the International Geophysical Year met in Washington, D.C., to negotiate a treaty that would enshrine these new values ​​in law.