A map of Antarctica showing current foreign influence.
Argentine stations are represented by blue squares.
Australian areas (the Davis Territory) are in dark red.
British (Eduarda, the Falklands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich islands) in pink.
Chilean stations are represented by red squares.
Commonwealth member states (New Devon and Rossland) are in orange.
French areas (the Kerguelen Islands) are in blue.
New Zealand's Balleny Islands are in light green.
The Norwegian Autonomous Region of Maudland is in dark green.
The Colonization of Antarctica by foreign nations began with the Continent's 'discovery' by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in early 1820.
American Colonization
The United States of America established the Territory of Byrdia in the 1920s, following the collapse of Russian West Antarctica after the Russian Civil War. Byrdian independence marked the end of 'American Antarctica', though the US still maintains a contingent at the South Pole Station.
- Byrdia
Argentine Colonization
The nation of Santiago was founded in 1901 by settlers from Argentina and Chile, though this country was never considered any kind of Territory, Dependency or Colony of either South American nation. Argentinian immigrants continue to arrive in Antarctica, especially to Santiago (due to the similar language and culture between Argentina and Santiago), though there are also Argentine communities in several other Antarctic countries such as Byrdia.
Argentina operates 2 research stations in foreign territory on the continent: one in Santiago and one in Ognia; and there is a permanent Argentine contingent at the South Pole Station. Residents of the country's research stations are considered Argentine citizens.
British and Commonwealth Colonization
- Main Article: British Antarctica
Britain was the second-most extensive colonizer of the Antarctic, after Russia. British East Antarctica (traditionally a Loyalist area) remains a British Dominion to this day, as Eduarda, though British Interior Antarctica - traditionally more anti-British - gained independence as New Devon in 1990. British West Antarctica was a short-lived British colony covering New Swabia. This area was formerly a German colony, and became a League of Nations Mandate of Britain following World War I; before ultimately gaining independence in 1933.
British Inner Antarctica disputed a large portion of central Antarctica with Russian East Antarctica. This dispute was settled by BIA taking control of the area following the collapse of the Russian Empire.
The Davis Territory was founded as a Dependency of New South Wales (then a British Colony), and remained like this until the foundation of Australia in 1901; when Davis became an Australian Territory, which it remains as today.
Rossland is a New Zealand territory, which New Zealand claimed - and subsequently settled - after the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917.
The nation of Santiago has a large proportion of citizens of British (especially Welsh) descent.
- British East Antarctica (now Eduarda) (UK)
- British West Antarctica (now New Swabia) (UK)
- British Inner Antarctica (now New Devon) (UK)
- Davis Territory (Australia)
- Rossland (New Zealand)
Chilean Colonization
The nation of Santiago was founded in 1901 by settlers from Chile and Argentina, though this country was never considered any kind of Territory, Dependency or Colony of either South American nation. Chilean immigrants continue to arrive in Santiago, and to a lesser extent, other parts of Antarctica.
Chile operates a research station in New Devon, and controls a small port/airstrip in Maudland; and there is a permanent Chilean contingent at the South Pole Station. Residents of the country's research stations are considered Chilean citizens.
German Colonization
The Empire of Germany established the Colony of German Antarctica in 1902, which consisted of a single region: New Swabia. This Colony was maintained from 1902 through 1918, when the Central Powers lost World War I, and Germany was forced to relinquish all of its colonies to the Allies. Britain took control of New Swabia, naming it "British West Antarctica". In 1933, the region declared itself independent, and its culture remains very 'German-like' to this day.
- German Antarctica (now New Swabia)
French Colonization
France controls the Kerguelen archipelago, which is generally considered a part of the Antarctic region, though there has never been any French control of the Antarctic mainland. Kerguelen is treated like any other Antarctic country by the South Pole Neutral Zone.
Norwegian Colonization
Norway formerly administered the colony of Norwegian Antarctica, which has since become an Autonomous Region of Norway, as Maudland. Maudlanders still have Norwegian citizenship and must abide by certain Norwegian laws, though they have their own currency and parliament. Descendants of Norwegian immigrants form a large part of the population of Santiago.
- Norwegian Antarctica (now Maudland)
Russian Colonization
- Main Article: Russian colonialism of Antarctica
The Russian Empire was the most extensive Colonial presence on the Continent of Antarctica. Starting in 1820, Russia established two huge colonies: Russian East Antarctica, an organized, well-structured colony which quickly became one of Antarctica's best-established areas; and Russian West Antarctica, more of a wilderness, where the Colonial Administration had a more difficult time regulating the locals.
Following the Russian Civil War in 1917, Russian Antarctica collapsed, leaving the fractured regions to fend for themselves. A large area of Russian East Antarctica re-organized itself as Bellinsgauzenia, and remained a major power; while the rest of this Colony was quickly claimed by New Zealand (as Rossland) and Britain (as part of New Devon). Russian West Antarctica effectively ceased to exist, and was shortly replaced by Ognia, a native Antarctican nation; Byrdia, an American Territory; and parts of New Zealand's territory of Rossland.
Russia maintains a contingent at the South Pole Station.
- Russian East Antarctica, now:
- Bellinsgauzenia
- Parts of New Devon
- Parts of Rossland
- Russian West Antarctica, now:
- Ognia
- Byrdia
- Parts of Rossland