The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica administered by the Australian Antarctic Division, an agency of the federal Department of the Environment and Energy.
The territory’s history dates to a claim on Enderby Land made by the United Kingdom in 1841, which was subsequently expanded and eventually transferred to Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation by area.
In 1961, the Antarctic Treaty came into force. Article 4 deals with territorial claims, and although it does not renounce or diminish any preexisting claims to sovereignty, it also does not prejudice the position of Contracting Parties in their recognition or non-recognition of territorial sovereignty. As a result, only four other countries—New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Norway—recognise Australia’s claim to sovereignty in Antarctica.
The territory is divided into nine districts:
- Enderby Land
- George V Land
- Kaiser Wilhelm II Land
- Kemp Land
- Mac. Robertson Land
- Oates Land
- Princess Elizabeth Land
- Queen Mary Land
- Wilkes Land
Blogs
Websites
YouTube
- Exploring Stamps: Season 3/Ep.8 – Antarctic Territories
- Exploring Stamps: Season 1/Ep.11 – Antarctic Exploration Stamps
- Winnipeg Philatelic Society: Australian Antarctic Territory
