Colonization of Antarctica

The colonization of Antarctica means people trying to use land in Antarctica or live there. For many years, different countries said parts of Antarctica belonged to them. This became big in the early 1900s when people first explored Antarctica and built camps and bases.

Today, rules like the Antarctic Treaty from 1959 help keep Antarctica peaceful and protect its environment. Right now, about 4,000 people live there in the summer and about 1,000 in the winter. These people are scientists and workers from about 30 countries, staying at around 70 bases. Two of these bases, Esperanza Base from Argentina and Villa Las Estrellas from Chile, are places where people live year-round.

History

For broader coverage of this topic, see History of Antarctica and Research stations in Antarctica § History.

The Antarctic region has been claimed by countries since the 1500s. The Southern Ocean made it hard to explore, but in the early 1800s, sealers and explorers found new lands far south. By the early 1900s, whalers began hunting there, and polar explorers went deeper into the land, reaching the South Pole in 1911. Countries set up whaling stations and Antarctic research bases to support their claims.

Today, rules set by the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, along with its Antarctic Treaty System and Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, limit what countries can do in Antarctica.

Settlement concepts

In the 1950s, people thought about building cities in Antarctica inside big glass domes. These domes would stay warm and have power from special machines. A famous designer, Buckminster Fuller, suggested using dome shapes to create cities with a nice climate. One of the stations at the South Pole looked a little like this idea, but much smaller. Later, in 1971, another architect studied how to build a huge air-supported dome that could hold thousands of people. Some people are still looking at these ideas today.

Environmental impact

Further information: Research stations in Antarctica § Impact and pollution, and Climate change in Antarctica

Scientists found that pollution from research stations in Antarctica is very bad.

Antarctica is cold and tough today, but its climate might change. By the year 2100, some parts of West Antarctica could become warmer.

Scientists say that plants and fungi grow well around Antarctica’s volcanoes. Antarctica has some native moss and small plants. But with warmer weather, new plants might grow there.

Humans have brought new species to Antarctica.

Recent studies near the South Pole show that heat from deep inside Earth reaches the surface there.

Births and deaths on Antarctica

Main article: Demographics of Antarctica

Antarctica's population includes people who work at research stations. Most stations are open all year, but some only open in summer. A very small number of people live at civilian bases.

Emilio Marcos Palma, born on January 7, 1978, was the first person known to be born in Antarctica. He was born at a research base called Esperanza near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Since then, about ten more babies have been born there.