The Antarctic: A Very Short IntroductionThe Antarctic is one the most hostile natural environments in the world. It is an extraordinary physical space, which changes significantly in shape and size with the passing of the seasons. Politically, it is unique as it contains one of the few areas of continental space not claimed by any nation-state. Scientifically, the continental ice sheet has provided us with vital evidence about the Earth's past climate. In this Very Short Introduction, Klaus Dodds provides a modern account of Antarctica, highlighting the main issues facing the continent today. Looking at how the Antarctic has been explored and represented in the last hundred years, Dodds considers the main exploratory and scientific achievements of the region. He explains how processes such as globalization mean that the Antarctic is increasingly involved in a wider circuit of ideas, goods, people, trade, and governance - all of which have an impact on the future of the region. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
Contents
Discovering the Antarctic | |
Claiming and negotiating the Antarctic | |
Governing the Antarctic | |
Doing Antarctic science | |
Exploiting and protecting the Antarctic | |
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activities American Antarctic Convergence Antarctic Expedition Antarctic exploration Antarctic ice sheet Antarctic Peninsula Antarctic Peninsula region Antarctic science Antarctic Treaty System Arctic Argentina Article ATCP Australia Australian Antarctic Territory biological prospecting Britain British Antarctic Survey CCAMLR claimant and nonclaimant climate change coastal cold commercial conservation continental shelf Convention discovery ecosystem entry into force Environmental Protection environments especially established Falkland Islands fishing further future geographical geological geopolitical global governance Ice Core imperial indigenous human population interest International Geophysical involving Japan kilometres krill Land Living Resources negotiations Norwegian numbers Patagonian Toothfish penguins planet polar continent polar regions political potential programme Protocol on Environmental regulate remains research stations role Ross Sea scientific station scientists Scott sealers seals seven claimant Short Introduction South Georgia South Pole South Shetlands Southern Ocean sovereignty Soviet Union subAntarctic islands subglacial lakes territorial claims tourism UNCLOS West Antarctica whaling Zealand