The Chilean Antarctic Territory or Chilean Antarctica (Antártica Chilena) is the territory in Antarctica claimed by Chile. It is administered by the Cabo de Hornos municipality in the South American mainland.
The territory claimed by Chile covers the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, called Tierra de O’Higgins (Graham Land) in Chile, and adjacent islands, the Alexander Island, Charcot Island, and part of the Ellsworth Land, among others.
Chilean territorial claims on Antarctica are mainly based on historical, legal and geographical considerations. The exercise of Chilean sovereignty over the Chilean Antarctic Territory is put into effect in all aspects that are not limited by the signing of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. This treaty established that Antarctic activities are to be devoted exclusively to peaceful purposes of the signatories and acceding countries, thereby freezing territorial disputes and preventing the construction of new claims or the expansion of existing ones.
See also Polar Regions.
