Who does Antarctica belong to? The oil debate hidden in the icy continent

Although Antarctica has no official owner, 7 countries claim rights over certain regions of the continent. The reason behind these countries' claims is oil.

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Who does Antarctica belong to? The oil debate hidden in the icy continent

Antarctica is a continent that attracts the attention of many countries and is the subject of various debates.

However, humanity's interest in Antarctica, despite these harsh conditions, is filled with international law and territorial disputes.

According to a report in Chip, the question of who owns Antarctica receives different answers depending on when and where it is asked.

However, the 1959 Antarctic Treaty regulates all activities on the continent and defines the region as an area dedicated to peace and scientific purposes.

According to this treaty, no country can claim territory in the region, and activities such as military operations, weapons testing, and mining are prohibited.

However, some countries claim to be the owners of Antarctica.

These countries are as follows:

The United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, and Norway.

The strategic importance of Antarctica stems from its potential to possess rich oil deposits, which leads to disputes.

However, although current treaties prohibit mining activities, it has been reported that this issue is likely to be renegotiated in the future.

News Source: 12punto