South Atlantic & Indian Ocean

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Ascension Island
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands Dependencies, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands
Tristan Da Cunha

 

The United Kingdom has had a continuous presence in the South Atlantic since 1833 when it occupied the Falkland Islands. In 1908 the UK extended its territory by unilaterally declaring sovereignty over the territory that is British Antarctic Territory today, as well as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The territory was grouped together as the Falkland Islands Dependency, and governed from Stanley by the Governor of the Falkland Islands.

In 1943, at the height of World War II, the UK undertook a military operation known as Operation Tabarin, to provide reconnaissance and meteorological information in the South Atlantic Ocean. This 'secret' wartime project became the civilian Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey and later the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The BAS is responsible for most of Britain's scientific research in Antarctica.

Several other nations began to stake claims to Antarctica, and in the 1950s, a treaty was negotiated to demilitarise the region, and retain Antarctica for peaceful research purposes. The treaty was passed in 1961. In response the UK hived off all its territory below the 60° S latitude into the British Antarctic Territory, established by Order-in-Council.

Only France, Norway, New Zealand and Australia who themselves have territorial claims on the continent, recognise British Antarctic Territory. Neither the United States or Russia recognise the British claim.

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