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NAVIGATION
Antarctica
COMMUNICATIONS
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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0
note: information for US bases only (2001) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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NA; Iridium system in use |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: local systems at some research stations
domestic: NA international: via satellite from some research stations |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1
note: information for US bases only (2002) |
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Radios:
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NA |
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Television broadcast stations:
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1 (cable system with six channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo)
note: information for US bases only (2002) |
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Televisions:
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several hundred at McMurdo Station (US)
note: information for US bases only (2001) |
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Internet country code:
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.aq |
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Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
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NA |
TRANSPORTATION
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Ports and harbors:
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there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under "Legal System"); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent |
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Airports:
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30 (2001)
note: 27 stations, operated by 16 national governments party to the Antarctic Treaty, have aircraft landing facilities for either helicopters and/or fixed-wing aircraft; commercial enterprises operate two additional aircraft landing facilities; helicopter pads are available at 27 stations; runways at 15 locations are gravel, sea-ice, blue-ice, or compacted snow suitable for landing wheeled, fixed-wing aircraft; of these, 1 is greater than 3 km in length, 6 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 3 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 3 are less than 1 km in length, and 2 are of unknown length; snow surface skiways, limited to use by ski-equipped, fixed-wing aircraft, are available at another 15 locations; of these, 4 are greater than 3 km in length, 3 are between 2 km and 3 km in length, 2 are between 1 km and 2 km in length, 2 are less than 1 km in length, and 4 are of unknown length; aircraft landing facilities generally subject to severe restrictions and limitations resulting from extreme seasonal and geographic conditions; aircraft landing facilities do not meet ICAO standards; advance approval from the respective governmental or nongovernmental operating organization required for landing; landed aircraft are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 20 19
over 3,047 m: 6 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 4 under 914 m: 5 5 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 1 |
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Heliports:
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27 stations have helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2002) |
MILITARY
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Military - note:
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the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes |
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES
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Disputes - international:
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Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK; the US and most other states do not recognize the territorial claims of other states and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; several states with land claims in Antarctica have expressed their intention to submit data to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend their continental shelf claims to adjoining undersea ridges |