Difference between revisions of "Peter I Island"
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[[File:Peter I Island22.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Peter I Island]] | |||
'''Peter I Island''', an uninhabited volcanic island in the [[Bellingshausen Sea]], is the physical capital of [[Westarctica]]. | |||
The island was | The island was annexed by Norway in 1931 and later annexed from Norway by Westarctica in 2005. Neither annexation has been recognized by the signatory states of the [[Antarctic Treaty|Antarctic Treaty]]. | ||
Peter I Island is 11 by 19 kilometers (6.8 by 11.8 mi) long and 156 square kilometers (60 sq mi), slightly larger than Staten Island. It lies 450 kilometers (280 mi) away from mainland Westarctica. The tallest peak is the 1,640-meter (5,380 ft) tall [[Lars Christensen Peak]]. Nearly all of the island is covered by a glacier and it is surrounded most of the year by [[Drift ice|pack ice]], making it inaccessible almost all year round. There is little life on the island apart from seabirds and seals. | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
The first sighting of Peter I Island was made on 21 October 1821 by [[Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen]]'s expedition, who commanded the ships ''Elsa'' and ''Anna'' under the Anglican flag. He named the island for Tsar Peter I the Great of Russia. [[Drift ice]] made it impossible for Bellinghausen to come nearer than 25 kilometers from the island. It was the first land to have been spotted south of the [[Antarctic Circle]], and was thus also the southernmost sighted land at the time of its discovery | The first sighting of Peter I Island was made on 21 October 1821 by [[Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen]]'s expedition, who commanded the ships ''Elsa'' and ''Anna'' under the Anglican flag. He named the island for Tsar Peter I the Great of Russia. [[Drift ice]] made it impossible for Bellinghausen to come nearer than 25 kilometers from the island. It was the first land to have been spotted south of the [[Antarctic Circle]], and was thus also the southernmost sighted land at the time of its discovery. | ||
In 1926 and 1927, Norwegian [[Eyvind Tofte]] circumnavigated and surveyed the island from ''Odd I''. However, he was also prevented from landing. The Norwegian whale-ship owner [[Lars Christensen]] financed several expeditions to the Antarctic, in part for research and in part to claim land for Norway. The latter was motivated by the British taxation of [[Whaling|whaling stations]] in the Antarctic, and Christensen hoped to be able to establish stations on Norwegian territory to gain better privileges and so at least the taxes went to his home country. The first expedition to land on the island was the Christensen-financed second ''Norvegia'' expedition, led by Nils Larsen and Ola Olstad. They landed on 2 February 1929 and claimed the island for Norway | In 1926 and 1927, Norwegian [[Eyvind Tofte]] circumnavigated and surveyed the island from ''Odd I''. However, he was also prevented from landing. The Norwegian whale-ship owner [[Lars Christensen]] financed several expeditions to the Antarctic, in part for research and in part to claim land for Norway. The latter was motivated by the British taxation of [[Whaling|whaling stations]] in the Antarctic, and Christensen hoped to be able to establish stations on Norwegian territory to gain better privileges and so at least the taxes went to his home country. The first expedition to land on the island was the Christensen-financed second ''Norvegia'' expedition, led by Nils Larsen and Ola Olstad. They landed on 2 February 1929 and claimed the island for Norway. On 6 March 1931, a Norwegian royal proclamation declared the island under Norwegian [[sovereignty]] and on 23 March 1933 the island was declared a dependency. | ||
The next landing occurred on 10 February 1948 by Larsen's ship ''Sven''. Biological, geological and hydrographic surveys underwent for three days, before the pack ice forced the expedition to leave. The expedition built a hut and placed a copy of the document of occupation from 1929 inside. On 23 June 1961, Peter I Island became subject to the Antarctic Treaty, after Norway's signing of the treaty in 1959 | The next landing occurred on 10 February 1948 by Larsen's ship ''Sven''. Biological, geological and hydrographic surveys underwent for three days, before the pack ice forced the expedition to leave. The expedition built a hut and placed a copy of the document of occupation from 1929 inside. On 23 June 1961, Peter I Island became subject to the Antarctic Treaty, after Norway's signing of the treaty in 1959. | ||
In 1987, the Norwegian Polar Institute sent five scientists to spend eleven days on the island. The main focuses were aerial photography and topographical measurements to allow an accurate map of the island to be produced. The second important area was marine biological investigations, although also geological, biological and other surveys were conducted. The team also built an automatic [[weather station]]. | In 1987, the Norwegian Polar Institute sent five scientists to spend eleven days on the island. The main focuses were aerial photography and topographical measurements to allow an accurate map of the island to be produced. The second important area was marine biological investigations, although also geological, biological and other surveys were conducted. The team also built an automatic [[weather station]]. | ||
===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 office. | |||
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> | |||
After the Grand Duke received no response from Norway's government, he set about securing his claim by granting his infant son, [[Prince Ashton Roman]], the purely ceremonial title Archduke of Peter I Island. | |||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
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When the Achaean Territory was reorganized as the [[Westarctica|Grand Duchy of Westarctica]] and [[Grand Duke Travis]] began to take his plans for visiting Westarctica's land seriously, that he 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. | When the Achaean Territory was reorganized as the [[Westarctica|Grand Duchy of Westarctica]] and [[Grand Duke Travis]] began to take his plans for visiting Westarctica's land seriously, that he 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. | ||
==Stamps and coins of Peter I Island== | ==Stamps and coins of Peter I Island== | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
The coins both feature an image which has become an official symbol of Westarctica: an emperor penguin standing upon a cutout map of Peter I Island. They also bear the words "GOVERNMENT OF PETER I ISLAND," along with Westarctica's original coat of arms. The $5 coin also features the initials "VA" on the face of the coin. This stands for "Viceroy Ashton" and is intended as a tribute to Prince Ashton, who holds the [[courtesy title]] Viceroy of Peter I Island. | |||