Antarctica and the Southern Ocean cover one-tenth of the earth's surface. In a legal and environmental sense, Antarctica represents the geography of hope. It is the freshest and most pristine of regions, governed by a legal regime that offers Antarctica and its circumpolar water the unique possibility of becoming the world's first global wilderness preserve. But in today's age of resource scarcity, Antarctica still provokes much political, economic and legal debate. Over the past decade, international attention has increasingly focused on the legal status of the continent, the potential for hydrocarbon exploitation offshore, and opportunities for harvesting circumpolar living marine resources. In this fascinating treatment, Christopher C. Joyner undertakes the first serious examination of the intimate relationship between Antarctica and the law of the sea. Using Antarctica as a case study, Joyner probes large conceptual issues of ocean law and politics. He uses the intricate details of oceanography and law to unravel the dynamics of the Antarctic Treaty System. In doing so, he examines how the changing importance of Antarctic issues has affected the development of the law of the sea for the region, the ways in which states define their national interests, and the accommodation through various negotations that have contributed to the development of law for governing the Southern Ocean. While the study of law for the Antarctic is provocative in itself, this work goes much farther. The study critically analyzes the region's biogeography, the condition of sovereignty on the continent, the lawfulness of asserting jurisdictional zones offshore, and various legal implications for Antarctica's continental shelf, local island groups, circumpolar deep seabed, and the Southern Ocean's high seas. Moreover, the special legal efforts by the international community to protect the Antarctic seas from marine pollution and to conserve its living marine resources are comprehensively appraised. Thorough, authoritative, and objectively reasoned, Antarctica and the Law of the Sea provides an insightful assessment of how law can progressively develop for a resource-rich region of the world's ocean. As such, it should appeal to a broad range of international lawyers and social scientists who are interested in international relations, political economy, environmental politics, and the law of the sea.

Embark on an Epic Expedition with Frederick Albert Cook's "Through the First Antarctic Night, 1898-1899" Prepare to be transported to the icy expanse of Antarctica as you join Frederick Albert Cook on the historic voyage of the "Belgica." In his gripping narrative, "Through the First Antarctic Night, 1898-1899," Cook recounts the harrowing journey of the expedition as they traverse newly discovered lands and brave the treacherous waters surrounding the South Pole. Experience the Thrilling Adventures of the "Belgica" Expedition Step aboard the "Belgica" and embark on a daring exploration of uncharted territories, where every moment is fraught with danger and discovery. Follow Cook and his intrepid crew as they navigate through icy waters, battling against harsh weather conditions and unknown obstacles at every turn. Through Cook's vivid descriptions and compelling storytelling, readers will find themselves immersed in the awe-inspiring beauty and unforgiving terrain of Antarctica. From encounters with exotic wildlife to breathtaking landscapes of ice and snow, every page offers a glimpse into the wonders of this remote and mysterious continent. Why "Through the First Antarctic Night, 1898-1899" Is a Must-Read Historical Significance: Cook's account provides a valuable firsthand perspective on one of the earliest Antarctic expeditions, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of polar exploration during the late 19th century. Captivating Narration: With its gripping storytelling and vivid imagery, "Through the First Antarctic Night" transports readers to a world of adventure and discovery, where every page brims with excitement and wonder. Exploration and Discovery: Join Cook and his crew as they uncover the mysteries of Antarctica, charting new territories and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge in their quest for exploration.Whether you're an armchair adventurer or a history buff, "Through the First Antarctic Night, 1898-1899" offers a thrilling journey into the heart of one of the world's most remote and inhospitable regions. Don't miss your chance to experience the excitement and wonder of polar exploration through the eyes of Frederick Albert Cook.

This is the first book to draw together a history of science in Antarctica.

Although the Antarctic ice pack and some offshore islands had been sighted and even landed upon briefly as early as the 1820s, it was not until an eccentric Anglo-Norwegian explorer, Carsten F. Borchgrevink, went ashore in 1895 that a human being set foot on the Antarctic continent. Borchgrevink, snubbed by the British establishment, had stolen a march on several planned competing expeditions from Germany and Scandinavia. ø Borchgrevink returned to Antarctica in 1899 with a party that was the first to winter over on the continent. Regrettably, bad weather and unscalable mountains limited their forays inland. Borchgrevink's survival was proof that with adequate supplies, the Antarctic winter was survivable, and that with a better geographic position, the enormous unknown of the continent could be investigated. ø Borchgrevink galvanized the British geographical authorities who had come to consider polar exploration their exclusive province. Led by Sir Clements Markham of the Royal Geographic Society, the British keenly felt his blow to their national pride delivered by an explorer they regarded as an arrogant upstart. The RGS pushed forward with its plans, and a tragic competition to be the first to reach the South Pole was set in motion between the British and the Scandinavians. ø This work is anøaccount of the first tentative human gropings in Antarctica, concentrating on the coalescing of official and popular attitudes that later resulted in the polar races of Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen, which dominate the story of the "Heroic Era" of Antarctic exploration, from 1901 to 1922.