The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is the largest territorial claim on the continent and covers much of east Antarctica. The total area is approximately 5,800,000 sq Km – about the area of Australia excluding Queensland.
It consists of all islands and territories south of 60°S between 45°E and 160°E, with the exception of the French sector of Terre Adélie, which comprises the islands and territories south of 60°S and between longitudes 136°E and 142°E.
Australia is among seven nations which have claimed territory in Antarctica. The other claimant nations are Argentina, Chile, France, New zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom.
The Australian claim is based on discovery and a long historical association with this part of Antarctica.
Douglas Mawson: AAE & BANZARE
Sir Douglas Mawson in the Commander's Cabin, Discovery.
Australia's Douglas Mawson led the 1911 to 1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) which established bases at Commonwealth Bay and the Shackleton Ice Shelf. The expedition explored extensively along the coast near the bases and claimed this land as British territory.
In 1929 – 1931 further extensive claims to sovereignty were made by the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research (BANZARE) expedition again led by Douglas Mawson.
Three new landings were made and aircraft flights discovered the BANZARE Coast and Princess Elizabeth Land. The expedition also generated scientific results that were so voluminous that reports were still being published three decades later.
In two summer voyages Discovery and the expedition aircraft traversed the whole coastline from 45°E to 160°E, defining the limits of what was to become the Australian Antarctic Territory. Mawson made proclamations claiming sovereignty for Britain over Antarctic lands at each of landfall.
Proclamation of the AAT
On 7 February 1933, the British Government issued an Order-in-Council placing the Territory under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia.
That part of the Territory in the Antarctic seas which comprises all the islands and territories, other than Adelie Land, situated south of the 60th degree south latitude and lying between the 160th degree east longitude and the 45th degree east longitude, is hereby declared to be accepted by the Commonwealth as a Territory under the authority of the Commonwealth, by the name of the Australian Antarctic Territory.
The AAT became permanently occupied in February 1954 with the establishment of Mawson - the oldest continuously occupied station south of the Antarctic Circle.
Video of Douglas Mawson reading a proclamation during BANZARE
It consists of all islands and territories south of 60°S between 45°E and 160°E, with the exception of the French sector of Terre Adélie, which comprises the islands and territories south of 60°S and between longitudes 136°E and 142°E.
