Antarctic Treaty System

The Antarctic Treaty System is a set of agreements about the continent of Antarctica. It was signed in 1959 and took effect in 1961. So far, it has been signed by 46-48 countries.

The ATS is used for governing the continent. The main idea of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) is to make sure that Antarctica is:

• is used peacefully and taken care of.
• is not exploited or used for animal hunting.
• is not involved with military use unless for peaceful purposes.
• is not owned by one group.
• is not ruled by any country and/or continent.
• is not used for violence e.g. testing nuclear missiles.

Antarctic Treaty System Media

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  A satellite composite image of Antarctica

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  Map of research stations and territorial claims in Antarctica (2015)

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  Disposal of waste by simply dumping it at the shoreline, as pictured at the Russian Bellingshausen Station on King George Island in 1992, is no longer permitted by the Protocol on Environmental Protection

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  This 1959 cover commemorated the opening of the Wilkes post office in the Australian Antarctic Territory.