Argentine Antarctica
Argentine Antarctica
Antártida Argentina | |
|---|---|
 Argentine Antarctica map since 1950, the Orcadas base are from 1904. | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Location in Antarctica | |
| Coordinates: 75°00′S 49°30′W / 75.000°S 49.500°W | |
| Country | Argentina |
| Province | Tierra del Fuego Province |
| Founded by | José María Sobral |
| Area | |
| • Total | 965,597 km2 (372,819 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 300 |
| • Density | 0.00031/km2 (0.00080/sq mi) |
Argentine Antarctica is a part of Antarctica claimed by Argentina as part of its national territory. This claim overlaps with British and Chilean claims in Antarctica. Argentine Antarctica is a department of the province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands.
The Argentine exploration to the continent started early in the 20th century. José María Sobral was the first Argentine to set foot on Antarctica in 1901. He spent 2 seasons with the Swedish Antarctic Expedition of Doctor Otto Nordenskiöld. In 1904, the Orcadas Base was fully working. Years later other bases were made. The first Argentine expedition to reach the South Pole was the 1965 Operación 90.
Argentine actions in Antarctica are coordinated by the Instituto Antartico Argentino
According the last Argentine national census, on October 2010 (winter) there were 230 people in the six permament bases.[1]
Geography
The geography of Argentine Antarctica has some features of the Patagonia. The highest peaks are at the south of the Antarctic Peninsula. The land is under an ice sheet.
The region has a polar climate, with strong winds, snow and thick clouds.