Sources: All of the information stated in this article is based on reliable sources, and is detailed at the end of the article
This is the largest piece of terra nullius territory in the world, and the total area is even larger than that of China!
Japan began to plan and lay out early!
The last pure land
As early as the Age of Discovery, all the land on earth was discovered and belonged.
But on the map of the world, there is still the last unconquered land, Antarctica
This is a land covered with snow and ice all year round, larger than the mainland, and has a lot of natural resources!
In fact, as early as the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He, the "originator of navigation", almost discovered this unknown territory in the process of going to the Western Ocean!
But because Zheng He's fleet had already traveled a long way at sea at that time, there was no follow-up strength to move forward again.
This exploration was abandoned, otherwise the discovery of Antarctica could have been a full four hundred years earlier!
It wasn't until the 18th century that Russian navigators set out from the South Pacific and eventually reached the vicinity of Antarctica, where they documented the discovery in their expedition logs.
This is the earliest record of Antarctica, and it is also the first time that this unknown land has been discovered by humans, and after that, explorers from all over the world came here!
But who was the first to set foot on the Antarctic continent has been a matter of controversy.
But what is certain is that after human exploration, Antarctica also appeared completely in front of people's eyes.
According to the subsequent exploration, it was also determined that the land here alone has 14.24 million square kilometers, which is equivalent to 1.45 times the size of the mainland.
And under Antarctica, extremely rich natural resources have been discovered, of which minerals are the most abundant, reaching more than 200 species.
A large amount of oil, natural gas and other energy resources have been discovered.
And because human beings have no relationship to destroy this place, it is in an extremely pure state.
Coveted by nations
However, this rich place is also coveted by many countries, especially for the abundance of minerals, oil and fresh water on the Antarctic continent.
Although the climatic conditions of this ice field are poor, it also has a large land area.
Although it was not possible to exploit the resources due to the conditions at the time, we will occupy them first and then develop them when the technology is developed.
It was with this idea in mind that the countries of the world divided up Antarctica, and after discussion, each demarcated its own "territory".
But this behavior was not internationally recognized, and at the call of the countries of the world, the "Antarctic Treaty" was finally created.
The significance of the Antarctic Treaty is that "Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes, primarily to support scientific expeditions, not for military purposes, and for countries to have no territorial claims to Antarctica." ”
However, Japan, one of the contracting parties, is particularly special, as it is a country that is extremely lacking in natural resources.
Generally, it is necessary to import to meet domestic demand, so this land is the most coveted.
Always thinking about controlling or occupying such an area rich in natural resources, this is also their long-term idea!
Since then, Japan has invested a lot of money in Nanjing to establish a number of research stations and conduct scientific research and technological development.
This is also to further influence Antarctica, so as to compete for as many interests as possible in the future.
Japan was the first Asian country to begin exploring Antarctica.
In 1910, a Japanese explorer organized an expedition from Japan to Antarctica.
After half a year, they reached Antarctica and went 160 miles deeper to the continent.
This was also the first time that an Asian country landed on the Antarctic continent, but after that, Japan launched a brutal invasion of the continent and committed heinous crimes.
The mainland, on the other hand, resisted Japan's aggression and won the victory, driving Japan out of China.
But it was this invasion of the mainland that halted Japan's exploration of the Antarctic for more than 40 years.
In fact, as early as 1939, some people in Japan suggested that they should conduct in-depth exploration of the Antarctic and put forward territorial claims.
Attempting to divide the land of the Antarctic continent as its own "resource colony".
However, Japan's "small calculations" for the Antarctic were detected, and after Japan's defeat in World War II, the relationship between Japan and the Antarctic was restricted, and Japan's coveting of Antarctic territory was completely blocked.
However, Japan was not completely excluded from entering Antarctica, and in the 20th century, Japan once again visited Antarctica.
In 1957, he established a Japanese base in Antarctica, and actively participated in multinational joint expeditions.
However, in the name of scientific research, Japan has brought its own whaling ships to Antarctica, and hunts whales near the Antarctic as if no one is around.
This kind of behavior also made the international community see Japan's shamelessness and strongly condemned Japan.
In the exploration of Antarctica, each country has its own scientific research station.
And Russia currently occupies the first place in the number of Antarctic research stations of various countries in the world with 8 scientific research stations!
Because the continent was relatively late in the Antarctic expedition.
It was only in 1984 that the mainland conducted an expedition to Antarctica, and five research stations were established in Antarctica.
Our scientists have also conducted in-depth research on glacier flow and biodiversity under the premise of protecting the Antarctic environment.
Although many countries have established research stations in Antarctica, this can only mean that they have the right to study scientifically, and they cannot occupy Antarctica.
Although Japan has ambitions, it does not dare to openly announce its remarks about Antarctica, and can only do something that does not see the light of day in secret.
epilogue
The last pure land on earth does not belong to anyone or any country.
For Antarctica, the world's last pure land, its future should be a precious heritage that all mankind will work together to cherish and protect.
Bibliography:
China Science and Technology Museum "The Amazing Antarctic Continent" 2023-12-30
China Natural Science Network "The Seventh Continent - Antarctica"
Baidu Encyclopedia - Antarctica