Flags of the Antarctic Treaty nations
ANTARCTIC TREATY
Admiral Byrd was excited about the international cooperation exhibited by the 12 nations that agreed to participate in the International Geophysical Year. In fact he referred to Antarctica as the great white continent of peace. Operation Deep Freeze with Byrd in command laid the groundwork for the IGY in Antarctica 1955-56. After the Admiral's death in 1957 and as a direct spinoff of the IGY these 12 participatory nations signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. It went into effect in 1961 and since then 41 more nations have signed the treaty for a total of 53.
Specifically under the Treaty:
Admiral Byrd was excited about the international cooperation exhibited by the 12 nations that agreed to participate in the International Geophysical Year. In fact he referred to Antarctica as the great white continent of peace. Operation Deep Freeze with Byrd in command laid the groundwork for the IGY in Antarctica 1955-56. After the Admiral's death in 1957 and as a direct spinoff of the IGY these 12 participatory nations signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. It went into effect in 1961 and since then 41 more nations have signed the treaty for a total of 53.
Specifically under the Treaty:
Learn more about scientific research in Antarctica and the Antarctic Treaty here: Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)