Many of the most experienced travelers in the world still perceive the continent of Antarctica as a mysterious, distant land.It remains a frozen, enormous, dark vastness dotted by scientific outposts.The truth, however, is that Antarctica has some distinct and unusual features that separate it from the other continents of the world.It is an area in which the United States and other nations have prohibited both weapons and war.

Antarctica was discovered by sealers in the early 19th century. Yet more than 160 years after this brilliant discovery, the whole continent is still a mystery to mankind. It is a very large continent, as big as both Mexico and the United States combined.Only 2% of Antarctica is not trapped beneath an enormous cap of ice.Antarctica has untold and undiscovered resources and this makes the continent extremely unusual as compared to any other.Further resources about antarctica cruise are located there.

The offshore waters are extremely thick with protein-concentrated krill that swarm the area, in addition to the possible presence of offshore petroleum and many other minerals that may be located under the thick ice cap on the continent.Another characteristic of Antarctica is the sheer repose as far as the eye can see. Having been peacefully governed for many years, we trust that present developments in the political arena will not have an adverse effect on that peacefulness in the years to come.

Between the 1920s and the 1940s, it was a continent that saw competition between various nations.Most of these nations concluded that waging a battle in the frigid and gloomy earth or turbulent waters of the continent was simply not cost effective.For military operations, Antarctica is not certainly not a welcoming place.The reigning peace in Antarctica was formalized by the formation of the Antarctic Treaty in 1859.

Agreed to by the 12 nations that had each been present for the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58, this Antarctic Treaty was a short brief.The most important international and national goal of pursuing science and how to function in the extremes of Antarctica on a peaceful basis was established during the first International Geophysical Year.Here is further info on antarctica cruise vacations.

The agreement bans war and weapons in Antarctica.The support of scientific missions is the only allowed purpose of any military force present in Antarctica.However, hostile tactics are still not allowed, including radioactive storage or atomic discharge.This same treaty also allows for provisions in which all established sites can be inspected for weaponry. This is the only treaty in place in the world that contains this condition.Every area of Antarctica is open to exploration by scientists, despite active claims on certain territories. This availability for exploration extends into the waters off the shores of the continent, and any area which is currently under dispute.

Situations arising in Antarctica have not involved the United Nations to date.In actuality, the treaties which are in place tend to call for minimal UN involvement.The extremely sensitive use of resources that are now being discussed by the participating nations, environment protection, science, and exploration have the treaty members feeling very comfortable with the fine system of management in place.

It was speculated by many that Antarctica would be widely fought over between the developing nations of the South, and the existing and powerful industrialized countries already there.But currently there is another compelling issue which has begun to emerge.China, India, and several nations in Latin America have all indicated that they would like to be a part of the Antarctic Treaty.

As a matter of fact, there are some nations in the Latin Bloc who have already joined as "acceding powers" to The Antarctic Treaty.They do not possess voting powers since they do not have ongoing scientific expeditions on the continent; however, they must adhere to the treaty's provisions.These are promising developments. This is more countries now standing inside the circle rather than remaining on the outside, criticizing the activities of those within it.