UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague today announced a large tract of Antarctic Territory claimed by Argentina is to be named Queen Elizabeth Land.
The piece of land makes up one third of the Antarctic Territory – 423,000 square metres – and is almost twice the size of the UK, and it also includes part of the territory claimed by Chile.
The UK started claiming its sovereignty over the “white” territory in 1908, when Argentina had established its first scientific missions into the same area in 1904.
The large chunk of Antarctic territory is part of the sovereingtyu claims Argentina holds with the UK which also includes the Malvinas, South Georgias, South Orcadas, and Sandwich islands all located in the South Atlantic Ocean..
It was explained that the gift is in honour of the United Kingdom’s Queen 60 years on the throne, which was celebrated today in the final Diamond Jubilee event of a momentous year.
The Foreign Secretary made the announcement after taking the Queen on a tour of the historic Foreign and Commonwealth Office building.
Speaking to assembled staff and senior FCO officials, Mr Hague said: “As a mark of this country’s gratitude to the Queen for her service, we are naming a part of the British Antarctic Territory in her honour as Queen Elizabeth Land.”
”This is a fitting tribute at the end of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year, and I am very proud to be able to announce it as she visits the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”
“The British Antarctic Territory is a unique and important member of the network of fourteen UK Overseas Territories. To be able to recognize the UK’s commitment to Antarctica with a permanent association with Her Majesty is a great honour.”
Source: Buenos Aires Herald