Antarctica, known as the “White continent,” is one of the most mysterious and inhospitable places on Earth. While it’s possible for people to visit, the continent is primarily used for scientific research. Despite its inhospitable nature and the fact that it doesn’t belong to any country, many nations, including Spain, have established at least one permanent or summer base on the continent.
The discovery of Antarctica is a matter of interpretation, with several expeditions setting out to explore the continent in the early 20th century. Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was the first to arrive in Antarctica, in December 1911, beating his competitor Robert Falcon Scott by five weeks. However, the continent was officially discovered in 1810 by a Russian expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mijaíl Lázarev. British explorer Edward Bransfield also sighted Antarctic lands in the same year.
The first person to set foot on Antarctic soil was American John David, a year after Amundsen’s arrival. However, there are theories that Spanish explorer Gabriel de Castilla may have been the first to reach the continent, spotting some islands in 1603.
Why Antarctica has no military but permanent bases: these are the countries (including Spain) that have this privilege
Since then, several countries have claimed sovereignty over the vast icy territory, which covers 14 million square kilometers. This has led to attempts by countries like Argentina, Australia, Chile, and New Zealand to “colonize” the continent. France, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have also made claims. However, these attempts have been unsuccessful.
In 1959, seven countries signed the Antarctic Treaty, which was later accepted by many nations. The treaty states that “Antarctica will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes” and that “all regions of Antarctica, and all stations, facilities, and equipment that are there, will be open at all times to inspection.” The treaty prohibits the installation of military bases and any military activity on the continent, but allows for the use of permanent bases for scientific research.
Spain, for example, has two summer Antarctic bases located on the South Shetland Islands, which are only used during the summer months. Many countries maintain permanent or summer scientific facilities in the region, including:
* Argentina
* Chile
* United Kingdom
* France
* Russia
* USA
* China
* South Korea
* Japan
* Poland
* Brazil
* Ukraine
* Germany
* South Africa
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Australia
* Peru
* Uruguay
* Italy
* India
* Bulgaria
* Belgium
These countries have established a presence on the continent, with some having multiple bases. The existence of these bases allows for ongoing scientific research and exploration of the continent, while also ensuring that Antarctica remains a peaceful and neutral region.
