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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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British Antarctic Territory
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The name since 1962 of an area, previously known as the Falkland Islands Dependency, which has the shape of a slice of cake on the map of Antarctica. With its point at the south pole, it extends between longitudes 20°W and 80°W as far north as latitude 60°S. Within this area various research stations have a resident population of British scientists, numbering only about 60 in winter. Similar slices are claimed by Norway, Australia and several other countries.
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The situation was temporarily stabilized by the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, valid for 30 years, which was signed by the interested nations and by others including the USA and the USSR (each of whom made no claim but reserved the right to do so). Though now only of scientific interest, the continent risks future exploitation of its minerals. With this in mind a new Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1991; one of its clauses is a 55-year ban on mining.
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