British Antarctic Territory

British Antarctic Territory
Motto
"Research and Discovery"
Anthem: "God Save the King"
Location of the British Antarctic Territory in Antarctica
Location of the British Antarctic Territory in Antarctica
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Territory1908
Capital
and largest city
Rothera
67°34′06″S 68°07′33″W / 67.568417°S 68.125796°W / -67.568417; -68.125796
Official languagesEnglish
GovernmentDependency under a constitutional monarchy
• Monarch
Charles III
Paul Candler
• Deputy Commissioner
Jane Rumble
• Administrator
George Clarkson[1]
Government of the United Kingdom
David Rutley
Area
• Total
1,709,400 km2 (660,000 sq mi)
Highest elevation
3,239 m (10,627 ft)
Population
• Summer estimate
250[2]
CurrencyPound sterling (£) (GBP)
Time zoneUTC-03:00
UK postcode
BIQQ 1ZZ
Internet TLD

The British Antarctic Territory (BAT) is a sector of Antarctica claimed by the United Kingdom as one of its 14 British Overseas Territories, of which it is by far the largest by area. It comprises the region south of 60°S latitude and between longitudes 20°W and 80°W, forming a wedge shape that extends to the South Pole, overlapped by the Antarctic claims of Argentina (Argentine Antarctica) and Chile (Chilean Antarctic Territory). The claim to the region has been suspended since the Antarctic Treaty came into force in 1961.

The Territory was formed on 3 March 1962, although the UK's claim to this portion of the Antarctic dates back to letters patent of 1908 and 1917. The area now covered by the Territory includes three regions which, before 1962, were administered by the British as separate dependencies of the Falkland Islands: Graham Land, the South Orkney Islands, and the South Shetland Islands. The United Kingdom's claim to the region has been suspended since the Antarctic Treaty came into force in 1961, Article 4 of which states "No acts or activities taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica. No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty, shall be asserted while the present Treaty is in force." Most countries do not recognise territorial claims in Antarctica.[3][failed verification] The United Kingdom has ratified the treaty.

The territory is inhabited by the staff of research and support stations operated and maintained by the British Antarctic Survey and other organisations, and stations of Argentina, Chile and other countries. There are no native inhabitants. In 2012, the southern part of the territory was named Queen Elizabeth Land in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

  1. ^ "Who We Are". British Antarctic Territory. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  2. ^ Hendry, Ian; Dickson, Susan (2011). British Overseas Territories Law. Oxford: Hart Publishing. p. 299. ISBN 9781849460194.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference recognition was invoked but never defined (see the help page).