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The Territory was formed on March 3, 1962, although the UK first claimed this portion of the Antarctic in 1908. Prior to 1962, the Territory was part of the Falkland Islands Dependency. All territorial claims made in Antarctica go against the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and are not recognised under international law. The Territory overlaps other claims on Antarctica by Argentina (Argentine Antarctica) and Chile (Antártica Chilena Province). The Territory is uninhabited by a native population (as Antarctica does not have any native population at all). The British Antarctic Survey maintains three research stations in the Territory, as do several other nations. HistoryThe 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 the United Kingdom'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.
GeographyIn addition to continental Antarctica, within which the BAT claim includes the Ronne Ice Shelf, Weddell Sea, and most of the Palmer Land peninsula, the territory also nominally administers the South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands.
AdministrationIt is administered by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). A Commissioner is appointed and is always the Head of the FCO's Overseas Territories Department.
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