Antarctica is the harshest continent on Earth, where frosts are severe, winds are fierce and permafrost prevails. Although this icy region seems uninhabitable, it remains the subject of fierce disputes between different countries.

Who owns Antarctica?

The answer to this question is not as simple as it seems. Officially No one owns Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, prohibits any territorial claims on the continent. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, prohibits any territorial claims on the continent

However, 7 countries have claimed parts of Antarctica:

• United Kingdom
• Argentina
• Australia
• Chile
• France
• New Zeland
• Norway

Why do countries want to own Antarctica?

First of all, the Antarctic region attracts attention with its resources. In an interview with the Financial Times in 2018, Argentina’s Director of International Policy for Antarctic Affairs stated that countries interested in Antarctica attach great importance to the potential resources that may be available in the future. In conditions of a global decrease in mineral and water reserves, the pace of development can be unpredictable.

Oil production in the Antarctic region is extremely difficult due to ice sheets that are up to 4.8 kilometers thick. But with improvements in the economic efficiency of the processes, an estimated 200 billion barrels of oil could be stored beneath the ice, making this area attractive for future exploration.

In addition, the continent is a unique laboratory for the study of climate, geology and other scientific disciplines.

The future fate of Antarctica

Antarctica is not just an icy region. It is a continent full of mysteries, scientific discoveries and geopolitical disputes. The future of the continent is yet to be determined, but one thing is certain: Antarctica is a place of great importance for the entire planet. Source