British Antarctic Territory

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British Antarctic Territory

Flag Coat of Arms

Motto: Research and Discovery
Anthem: God Save the Queen

Status Overseas territory of the United Kingdom
Official language(s) English

Commissioner Tony Crombie
Administrator Michael Richardson
Area 1 395 000 km²
Population ~200
Currency Pound Sterling

British Antarctic Territory is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, situated in Antarctica from the South Pole to 60° S latitude between longitudes 20° W and 80° W. The Territory was formed on March 3, 1962, although the UK first claimed this portion of the Antarctic in 1908. Prior to 1962, the Territory was part of the Falkland Islands Dependency. Under the Antarctic Treaty of 1961 all territorial claims on Antarctica are held in suspense.

The Territory overlaps other claims on Antarctica by Argentina (Argentine Antarctica) and Chile (Antártica Chilena Province).

The Territory is uninhabited by a native population (as Antarctica does not have any native population at all). The British Antarctic Survey maintains three research stations in the Territory, as do several other nations.

Contents

1 History
2 Geography
3 Administration
4 Nationality law
5 Research
6 Postage stamps
7 External links

History

The United Kingdom has had a continuous presence in the South Atlantic since 1833 when it occupied the south of the Falkland Islands. In 1908 the UK extended its territory by unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the territory that is British Antarctic Territory today, as well as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The territory was grouped together as the Falkland Islands Dependency, and governed from Stanley by the Governor of the Falkland Islands.

In 1943, at the height of World War II, the UK undertook a military operation known as Operation Tabarin, to provide reconnaissance and meteorological information in the South Atlantic Ocean. This "secret" wartime project became the civilian Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey and later the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The BAS is responsible for most of the United Kingdom's scientific research in Antarctica.

Several other nations began to stake claims to Antarctica, and in the 1950s, a treaty was negotiated to demilitarise the region, and retain Antarctica for peaceful research purposes. The treaty was passed in 1961. In response the UK hived off all its territory below the 60° S latitude into the British Antarctic Territory, established by Order-in-Council.

Only France, Norway, New Zealand and Australia, who themselves have territorial claims on the continent, recognise British Antarctic Territory.

Geography

In addition to continental Antarctica, within which the BAT claim includes the Ronne Ice Shelf, Weddell Sea, and most of the Palmer Land peninsula, the territory also nominally administers the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands.

Administration

It is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). A Commissioner is appointed and is always the Head of the FCO's Overseas Territories Department.

The Territory has a full suite of laws, and legal and postal administrations. Given the provisions of the Antarctic treaty, the Territory does not enforce its laws on foreign nations who maintain bases within the Territory. It is self-financing, with income from the sale of postage stamps and income tax.

Nationality law

The territory is fully a part of the British Overseas Territories for nationality purposes. It is possible to hold British Overseas Territories citizenship (BOTC) by virtue of a connection with the Territory. Additionally, since the relevant provisions of the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 came into force on 21 May 2002, a BOTC connected with the territory would also hold British citizenship.

Although this territory's immigration laws would not allow for naturalisation, a person born in the territory before 1983 would hold BOTC (and British citizenship) on that basis. Emilio Palma is the only person known to fall into this category. British citizenship and BOTC would also extend to the first generation born overseas.

Changes to British nationality law from 1 January 1983 ensure that no claims to BOTC or British citizenship by virtue of a connection to the territory can be made by those born from that date.

Research

The British Antarctic Survey has three research stations in the Territory:

A summer research station on Bird Island, off South Georgia is also used most summers.

A fourth base was also maintained until recently, called Faraday by the British, it was handed to the Ukraine in 1996. It is now called Vernadsky.

Other nations with research stations include:

Postage stamps

This half-penny value from the 1963 first issue, depicting MV Kista Dan, was cancelled at the station on Signy Island.

Despite the lack of inhabitants, the Territory issues its own postage stamps. While some are actually used by visiting tourists and resident scientists, the bulk are sold overseas to collectors. The first issue came in 1963, an engraved set with 15 values ranging from ½d to one pound, featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth overlooking various scenes of human activity in Antarctica. Several additional issues in the 1960s were followed by a decimalisation issue in 1971 produced by overprinting the 1963 stamps.

Since then, stamps have come out at regular intervals, about 10-20 per year in several sets, with a full definitive series every few years (polar explorers in 1973, plankton in 1984, fossils in 1990, research ships in 1993, etc.). The design topics are related either to Antarctic research or to the native life of Antarctica.

External links

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