CHILE

CHILE.

International Geophysical Year 1957-1958.
Map of the Antarctic territory claimed by Chile.
Airmail. Second stamp in a set of 2, issued on 26.12.1958.
Face value: 50 Chilean pesos.
Printed by Casa de Moneda de Chile.
Printing: Recess.
Print: 3,000,000 copies.
Size: 30 x 33 mm.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 546,
- Scott No. C214.
- StampWorld No. 539.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 474.
- Yvert et Tellier No. PA 184.

On December 1, 1959, the twelve countries that had carried out scientific activities in and around Antarctica during the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year signed the Antarctic Treaty in Washington. The Treaty entered into force on June 23, 1961, and has been accepted by many other nations. The Treaty recognizes, among other things, the interest of all humankind that Antarctica continue to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. The signatory countries were: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Chilean Antarctic Territory or Chilean Antarctica (Spanish: Territorio Chileno Antártico, Antártica Chilena) is the territory in Antarctica claimed by Chile. It ranges from 53° West to 90° West and from the South Pole to the 60° South parallel, partially overlapping the Argentine and British Antarctic claims. It is administered by the Cabo de Hornos municipality in the South American mainland. The territory claimed by Chile covers the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula, called O'Higgins Land (Tierra de O'Higgins in Spanish) in Chile, and adjacent islands, the Alexander Island, Charcot Island, and part of the Ellsworth Land, among others. It has an area of 1,250,257.6 km² (482,727.2 sq mi). Its boundaries are defined by a Decree issued on November 6, 1940, and published on June 21, 1955 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.