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Quiz about All About the Antarctic Treaty System

All About the Antarctic Treaty System Quiz

The Antarctic Treaty System ensures international co-operation and harmony between all the countries with an interest in this frozen continent.

A multiple-choice quiz by Rowena8482. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Rowena8482

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
402,039

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
126

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The Antarctic Treaty was originally signed by 12 countries who had set up scientific research facilities during which event? Hint

The Year of the Penguin

Peak Solar Flare Incidence

OPEC Year of Expansion

International Geophysical Year

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Question 2 of 10

2. Does Antarctica have its own flag?

Yes

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Question 3 of 10

3. In which city are the headquarters of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat? Hint

Canberra

Cape Town

Geneva

Buenos Aires

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Question 4 of 10

4. For the purposes of the Antarctic Treaty System, Antarctica is officially defined as all the land and ice shelves where exactly? Hint

South of New Zealand's South Island

South of 60� South latitude

Of a lower southern latitude than Tierra del Fuego

South of Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands

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Question 5 of 10

5. This research station is the de facto "capital" of Antarctica, having been established in the 1950s.
Which one is it? Hint

Discovery Bay

McMurdo Station

Scott Base

Ridley Beach

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Question 6 of 10

6. What does Article V of the Antarctic Treaty specifically prohibit in Antarctica? Hint

Alcohol in any form

Introduction of vermin, specifically rattus rattus

Nuclear explosions

Burial or otherwise disposing of a corpse

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Antarctic Treaty is often held to be an example of which principle of International Law? Hint

Common Heritage of Mankind

The Giffen Precedent

Unincorporated Territorial Claims

Principle of Joint Suzerainty

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of these countries was NOT one of the twelve original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty on 1959? Hint

Argentina

Brazil

France

Norway

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who or what was the Antarctic Treaty Issue? Hint

USSR/USA protocol disagreements

Mapping borders between national territories

A postage stamp

Building an international hospital facility

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of these is NOT an official language of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat? Hint

English

Russian

Portuguese

Spanish

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Antarctic Treaty was originally signed by 12 countries who had set up scientific research facilities during which event?

Answer: International Geophysical Year

The International Geophysical Year ran from 1957-58. The twelve countries involved established more than fifty permanent research stations on the solid ground of the continent.
The IGY was an important milestone in the increased exchange of ideas and information between scientists from East and West after the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1953.

2. Does Antarctica have its own flag?

Answer: Yes

The flag is a dark blue field with a white map of the Antarctic landmass, with three concentric circles and twelve lines radiating out from the centre point.
It was officially adopted in 2002.

3. In which city are the headquarters of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat?

Answer: Buenos Aires

The Secretariat staff manage the administrative functions for the signatories of the Treaty. They organise the annual conference, and liaise with other organisations such as the Committee for Environmental Protection, as well as facilitating communication and information exchange between the signatories.

4. For the purposes of the Antarctic Treaty System, Antarctica is officially defined as all the land and ice shelves where exactly?

Answer: South of 60� South latitude

Setting the border at latitude 60� South means that a small portion of Antarctica is actually North of the Antarctic Circle. It has an area of around 14.2 million square kilometres, and is the driest, coldest, and windiest continent on Earth.

5. This research station is the de facto "capital" of Antarctica, having been established in the 1950s. Which one is it?

Answer: McMurdo Station

The station was founded by the United States, on the shores of McMurdo Sound. named after Archibald McMurdo who was a British naval officer in the 19th century. He was aboard HMS Terror when she sailed to the Antarctic between 1840 and 1843.

6. What does Article V of the Antarctic Treaty specifically prohibit in Antarctica?

Answer: Nuclear explosions

The signatories agree not to set off any nuclear weapons, or explosions, and also not to store or dump any nuclear/radioactive waste on Antarctica.

7. The Antarctic Treaty is often held to be an example of which principle of International Law?

Answer: Common Heritage of Mankind

The Common Heritage of Mankind Principle holds that "defined territorial areas and elements of humanity's common heritage (cultural and natural) should be held in trust for future generations and be protected from exploitation by individual nation states or corporations."
The Treaty is meant to ensure that Antarctica is kept in trust for future generations, and kept peacefully. Article I of the Treaty prohibits any military action on the continent.

8. Which of these countries was NOT one of the twelve original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty on 1959?

Answer: Brazil

The original twelve countries signed the Treaty on December 1st 1959. By 2019 there were 54 member states.

9. Who or what was the Antarctic Treaty Issue?

Answer: A postage stamp

Issued by the United States postal service in 1971, the 8 cent stamp marked the tenth anniversary of the ratification of the Treaty. It depicts the Antarctic flag.

10. Which of these is NOT an official language of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat?

Answer: Portuguese

The Secretariat has four official languages, the three mentioned above and French.

Source: Author Rowena8482

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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