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Welcome to Encyclopedia Westarctica, the authoritative source for all things Westarctican. 1,101 articles and 52 featured articles in English.

Explore Westarctica: Government • People • Geography • Culture Browse Topics: Calsahara • Micronations • Antarctica • Science

Featured article

Quin Blackburn was a geologist on the First and Second Byrd Expeditions and leader of the geologic party that explored the Transantarctic Mountains. Blackburn served as a geologist and seaman—before—the mast on the First Byrd Expedition (1928-1930). During this expedition, Blackburn and 41 other explorers were forced to winter over in the Little America base due to their ship being stuck in the pack ice.

Undoubtedly, Quin Blackburn's most lasting contribution to Antarctic exploration was as the leader of the Second Byrd Expedition's Geologic Party (1933-1935). During this expedition, he led a three-man team on a 1,500 mile trek across Marie Byrd Land, investigating the geology of the Queen Maud Mountains while also sledging the length of the Scott Glacier onto the Polar Plateau. His prowess as an explorer was evident by the fact that his team returned from their long polar traverse having gained weight. Blackburn copied Robert Falcon Scott's system of traveling with and consuming a large team of dogs to ensure a steady supply of protein, fat, and Vitamin C during the expedition.

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In the news

MicroCon 2025 Trivia Night

• 15 Aug - Grand Duke Travis loses to JayJay Robles in the Gleason's International Masters Boxing Tournament.
• 11 Aug - Christopher Watson is appointed Foreign Minister.
• 11 Aug - The Senate of Westarctica vetoes the appointment of the Count of Dorchuck as Foreign Minister.
• 8 Aug - Royal Decree RD-2005-002 expands the areas protected under the Westarctican Parks Service.
• 23 Jul - The Jain affair sends shockwaves through the Foreign Office.
• 27 - 28 Jun - Westarctica's delegation attends MicroCon 2025 in Montreal, Canada.
• 10 Jun - Boyd Glacier National Park is created by the Senate of Westarctica.
• 9 Jun - The Duke of Faulkender becomes the new Chancellor of Kolios.

This month in history The USS Glacier August - While doing research on obscure parts of the world, Travis McHenry discovers that a large slice of Antarctica, known as Marie Byrd Land, is the only piece of the continent not claimed by any world government. Researching the possibilities further, he realizes that the Antarctic Treaty only prevents governments from issuing new claims to Antarctic lands, but does not prevent individuals acting on their own accord from doing such. (2001) 01 August - The Noble Order of Westarctica, Westarctica's first Order of Chivalry is established. (2004) 02 August - The Achaean Civil Code is decreed by the Consul-General and the Chancellery. (2002) 02 - 03 August - The Grand Duke processes over 1,000 citizenship applications in support of GISHWHES: Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen. Citizen's Day is declared a public holiday to commemorate the heroic feat. (2016) 04 August - MicroCon 2022, hosted by Westarctica, begins in Las Vegas, Nevada. (2022) 05 August - The Westarctican Royal Guards participate in Exercise: Westarctic Chill with Slabovia. (2019) 07 August - Grand Duke Travis attended a climate change symposium onboard Greenpeace's icebreaker Arctic Sunrise. (2018) 12 August - Grand Duke Travis attends MicroCon EU 2023 in Ypres, Belgium. (2023) 15 August - The world's first non-profit cryptocurrency, WestarcticaCoin is created by the Royal Blockchain Authority. (2018) 18 August - The Marana Accords are agreed upon with the Principality of Kolios. (2021) 25 August - The first Westarctica Art Expo is concluded. (2018) 27 August - The USS Glacier (pictured), a U.S. Navy icebreaker that explored much of Westarctica's coastline, is launched in Pascagoula, Mississippi. (1954) 31 August - Platinum award-winning recording artist, Griffith Frank is given the title Count of Canisteo for services to the Crown. (2017)

Featured image Caloplaca saxicola is a small bright orange crustose lichen that grows on rock all over the world, including Antarctica. It is commonly called rock firedot lichen, jewel lichen or rock jewel lichen. C. saxicola is one of the few lichens found in Westarctica, and is likely the most southerly plant life. The Caloplaca Hills were named for this lichen, which grows on the rocks there. Photographer: James K. Lindsey (More Images)

Featured Quote "Antarctica is a very alien environment, and you can't survive here more than minutes if you're not equipped properly and doing the right thing all the time." - Jon Krakauer

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