Among the continents of the world, Antarctica is the last to be discovered and explored by Europeans. The Englishman James Cook, between the years of 1768 and 1771, sailed around this frozen continent several times, however, who stepped on the ground for the first time was the North American Nathaniel Palmer.
After these expeditions there were many others, which provided the discovery of mineral deposits, such as copper, uranium, platinum, coal, manganese, silver, natural gas, among others, this discovery aroused, between 1823 and 1843, the greed of many countries, which provoked an aggressive dispute for the domain of the Antarctica.
Later, in the 20th century, the Treaty of Antarctica was created, which instituted rules for the occupation of the continent, which came into force in 1961. Originally, twelve countries participated in the treaty: United States, Soviet Union, Norway, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Kingdom, China, Chile and Belgium, was later integrated by twenty-five nations.
The countries that signed the document assumed the commitment to enjoy the continent exclusively for international cooperation and peaceful objectives, with an emphasis on scientific development. Following the agreement, a large number of countries have established scientific bases in the region.
Much of the current information is the result of intense research carried out by scientists in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway and Australia.
The consolidation of the Treaty was of great importance, firstly due to the scientific contributions developed in research stations, second because it did not allow a single country to have the full domain.
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By Eduardo de Freitas
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
continents - geography - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SCHOOL, Team Brazil. "Occupation of Antarctica"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/antartida.htm. Accessed on July 27, 2021.
