Of all the planets regions, Antarctica is the most inaccessible and the most desolate. In the past, people decided that Antarctica could be shared. But now, more people are looking towards Antarctica as an additional place to replenish their fast depleting natural resources.

The focus of the region has now become the oil, coal and iron rather than the ice, penguins and whales. The haven for scientific studies and international cooperation is envisioned as a possible powderkeg of nationalistic confrontation.

So far, places such as the United States Antarctic base the scientists have only experienced a tranquil environment of sharing and cooperation between nations. The cold and baron landscape and the environment conditions; plus a common interest in their research are believed to unite the people who live there. Antarctic Cruising

The U.S. Antarctica activities are run by the Mc Murdo headquarters, part for the National Science Foundation, which has a small flag-encircled park nearby which is dedicated to the efforts and the ideals of Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd. Admiral Richard Byrd was the first to fly over the Antarctic and South Pole and led five expeditions. He envisioned Antarctica as a region of International cooperation in science and as an example of a place where nations work together. But as we consume more of the Earth minerals and become more energy dependent are Byrd's idealistic practices likely to remain in tact?

There is growing interest in the possible minerals located in the Antarctic, but no one knows the extent of the possible supply.The situation has changed from being a scientific issue to a political one. It is believed that below the thousands of feet of ice and deep below the hostile seas there are massive deposits of oil and minerals. antarctica vacations

Other regions of the Earth, where oil and mineral reserves have already been discovered in great quantities are geologically identical to the Antarctic. Small-scale scientific core drilling by the United States hints at possible hydrocarbon deposits offshore. Coal deposits and iron along with concentrations of metallic minerals including lead, tin, titanium, gold, copper, nickel, chromium and uranium have already been confirmed on land.

Recently the exploitation of the Antarctic has become more achievable economically and the harsh conditions are no longer acting as a form of protection. Because natural resources have become more expensive and technology has improved both governments and businesses are now considering it economically viable and environmentalists are now worried.

The idea of exploiting Antarctica for minerals is something that worries many environmentalists all around the world because it is a region that has remained unspoilt and unpolluted by man.Groups including the Sierra Club and the International Institute for Environment and Development in London can see the inevitable conflict between commercial and environmental interests.

They want to see studies carried out to assess the risks to the environment caused by the exploitation of the region at the same time as any exploration which is needed to confirm exactly the resources the region holds. What worries them is that any fact finding exploration will encourage nations to exploit the area. It is oil spills that are causing the most concern.Many of the seals and bird populations that live in Antarctica are concentrated in the coastal areas and could be affected.Oil is known to not degrade or break up as easily in colder climates than in warmer ones, so a spill would be more damaging there than anywhere else.

Most of what goes on in, and about, Antarctica is tied to a landmark 1959 treaty that set the continent aside as a scientific preserve. The treaty involved 12 nations who now ensure no military activity can take place nor the disposal of nuclear waste. There are some cases of overlapping land claims from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Argentina, Chile and Norway but these have been side-step by the treaty.