Difference between revisions of "Peter I Island"

2,487 bytes added ,  01:44, 17 March 2018
no edit summary
Line 24: Line 24:


== Politics ==
== Politics ==
Peter I Island was excluded from the initial area claimed by the government of the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica|Achaean Territory]] in 2001, and was not considered a part of the territory at that time. The [[Consul-General of the Achaean Territory|Consul-General]] felt that claiming ownership of an area which had previously been claimed by another sovereign nation might weaken the overall legitimacy of his government.
It wasn't until the Achaean Territory was reorganized as the [[Westarctica|Grand Duchy of Westarctica]] that [[Grand Duke Travis]] began to take his plans for visiting Westarctica's land seriously and sought out an ideal location for the first landing. Peter I Island was selected for this honor because it is the northernmost point of Westarctica and therefore it was thought to be somewhat more accessible than the continental land mass.
===Annexation from Norway===
Peter I Island was formally annexed by Westarctica on 15 January 2005 with a letter sent by the Grand Duke to Norway's polar administration.
The text of the annexation letter read:
<blockquote>I am writing to inform you that my government has decided to formally claim the sub-Antarctic island of Peter I Oy.  In light of the fact that Norway does not recognize the Grand Duchy’s claim to land on Antarctica proper, we understand that you also will fail to recognize our claim to Peter I Oy.  However, we are obligated to inform you of our annexation of the island you claim as your own.
In the event your nation decides to stop recognizing the Antarctic Treaty, please understand that we expect a peaceful resolution as to the sovereignty of Peter I Oy.</blockquote>
==Status as Westarctica's Capital==
After the Grand Duke received no response from Norway's government, he set about securing his claim by appointing his new-born son, [[Prince Ashton Roman]] the purely ceremonial title of Archduke of Peter I Island.
===Stamps and coins of Peter I Island===
====Stamps====
[[File:Ashton stamps.jpg|thumb|2005 Peter I Island Stamps]]
To further solidify Westarctica's claim of ownership over Peter I Island, the Grand Duke designed and issued a 37c [[Stamps of Westarctica|stamp]] in 2005 featuring a map of the island beside a picture of Prince Ashton.  Later, in 2018, a 50c stamp was issued with a similar (although updated) theme as part of the 2018 Royal Stamp Series.
To date, Westarctica remains the only country that has issued stamps for Peter I Island.
====Coins====