|
Antarctica’s population varies from less than 1,000 people in the
winter months to nearly 20,000 in the summer. At any one time there
can be anything up to 5,000 scientists working and living in Antarctica,
studying the environmental effects of global warming and trying
to gain a better working knowledge of this great white continent.
Nearly 14,000 tourists visited the area in 1999/2000 and that figure
has steadily grown each year.
Nearest land of any considerable size is that of the tip of South
America, Chile and is 620 miles from the tip of the Antarctic peninsular.
There is no indigenous government in Antarctica. Management of the
Antarctic is organised through the legal framework of the Antarctic
Treaty of 1959. Forty-three nations are now party to this agreement,
and seven of those - the UK, Norway, Chile, France, Australia, Argentina
and New Zealand - have historic claims on parts of the continent
as national territory. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty preserves the status
quo of the continent by neither recognising nor rejecting the claims
of these countries and by not allowing expansion in any way on the
continent. The continent of Antarctica does not make money as there
is no governing body to benefit from tourism. Instead, any tourism
activity is originating from other countries and there tourism boards.
The ships that ail to Antarctica are ice strengthened and sail primarily
to the Antarctic Peninsula region sometimes also the Falkland Islands
(Islas Malvinas).
Passenger ships to Antarctica vary in size and capacity and your
experience will differ greatly depending on what sort of ship you
are on. The ethos and feel of an Antarctic cruise is quite different
to that of a cruise to a warmer destination. Less emphasis will
be placed on entertainment and shows, with more placed on scientists
and experts giving lectures and talks about every aspect of the
Antarctic environment, from the ice formations and movement to the
rich diversity of wildlife in such a harsh and unforgiving climate
and environment. The atmosphere of a cruise to the Antarctic is
less of a cruise and more like an expedition. Passengers feel like
they are part of something new and exiting, and in the case of travelling
by small boat it would be easy to imagine yourself on a voyage of
discovery to conquer uncharted seas and land. This, however, is
not the case and rest - assured, any land excursion or sea travel
is done with years of experience and knowledge of the continent.
With this in mind, passengers will not be time tabled into activities
and excursions.
|
|
|
