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Westarctica is an area of desolate land in Western Antarctica south of 60° latitude and between 90° and 150° west longitude, an area that was unclaimed until Travis McHenry claimed it by filing a claimant letter with nine world governments, a declaration of status not recognized by most established countries, in 2001. The territory consists of the majority of Marie Byrd Land and a large proportion of Ellsworth Land with a few additional non-contiguous claims. It has no year round residents, although seasonal research stations are located in the region. The nation of Westarctica was founded though a loophole in the Antarctic Treaty.
The government of Westarctica is headed by the Grand Duke of Westarctica, and administered with the assistance of the Royal Council. The Royal Council is overseen by the Prime Minister, who is elected democratically and serves a four-year term. There is no official legislative body, however the collected nobles of the Peerage of Westarctica are frequently consulted on major issues and serve as a sounding board for ideas in the government.