Antarctica & Islands
Antarctica is the, coldest, driest, windiest, most moutainous and inhospitable land mass in the world. It is also the most remote continent and the only one that has not yet been completely mapped.
Summer in Antarctica is characterised by heavy snowfalls; objects left outside overnight usually have to be dug out from under snow drifts the next morning.
Seal resources were decimated within decades, but commercial whaling brought the next wave of hunters.
Antarctica has long occupied a special place in the human psyche.
Two thousand years ago Greek astronomers gazing at the night sky deduced that the hidden southern land Terra Australis Incognita must exist as a balance to the Arctic North.
Since its discovery, Antarctica has continued to capture the human imagination. Relatively few people have visited the ice-covered continent
and most can only imagine the windswept, desolate and hauntingly beautiful white landscape isolated from the world by a freezing, wild ocean.
South Africa's involvement with Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands began with the first voyages of discovery in 1773. The Cape of Good Hope was an important, malaria free victualling station for sailors seeking the legendary southern land.
In 1956, South Africa was one of 12 original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty.
Despite seven separate and overlapping territorial claims, the Antarctic Treaty is one of the most successful ever signed. Today, 46 countries - representing 80 percent of the world's population - are signatories of the Treaty. Co-operation and goodwill have become the hallmarks of the Antarctic Treaty which stands as an example of friendship between nations.
The Antarctic Treaty System
Three basic principles are enshrined in the Antarctic Treaty System. To a large degree they account for its success.
- The continent may be used for peaceful purposes only. All military activities are prohibited; including military manoeuvres, the establishment of military bases, and weapons testing.
- Scientific investigation and co operation is promoted. The Treaty emphasises the importance of scientific activities and specifically provides for freedom of access to scientific investigation.
- Territorial claims are placed on hold. The Treaty neither, recognises, disputes nor establishes any territorial claim.
Since 1959, the Antarctic Treaty has been amended and extended to become the Antarctic Treaty System which includes the conventions and recommendations that are made at annual meetings. Since 1960, over 190 recommendations have been agreed to. Protection of the environment is managed through the Protocol on Environmental Protection which establishes Antarctica as a "natural reserve devoted to peace and science".
South Africa in the Antarctic
South Africa maintain a permanent presence in Antarctica and has four main areas of interest in the continent. These are:
- Scientific
South Africa supports a diverse scientific programme in Antarctica, as well as on the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands and Gough Island.
- Economic
South Africa's fishing fleet catches the highly valued Patagonian toothfish in Antarctic waters, according to the stringent conditions of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
- Strategic
South Africa is the only African signatory of the Antarctic Treaty. South Africa's presence in Antarctica places it in a unique position to participate in the decision-making processes that affect the future of the continent.
- Weather
Atmospheric weather-phenomena generated over Antarctica and the surrounding Southern Ocean have an influence on the weather of South Africa, particularly the summer rainfall areas. Understanding the influence of Antarctic weather phenomena on South Africa's weather is crucial for management and predictive purposes. The South African Weather Service undertakes important meteorological observations in the Southern Ocean, at Antarctica and on the sub- Antarctic islands.
South Africa plays a significant role in Antarctic Treaty issues and the country's involvement with Antarctica is a matter of national pride. The strategic and scientific value of the Antarctic has resulted in enthusiastic support from government for the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). Moreover, South Africa's proximity to, and long history in the Antarctic, will help to ensure that our country's involvement with the cold southern continent will continue to grow from strength to strength.
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