Not many people know a lot about Antarctica other than it's a frozen, windswept continent with no permanent inhabitants.

The Polar Regions Unit, in the FCO’s Overseas Territories Directorate – directly administrating the British Antarctic Territory – aims to change this with a range of projects to put Antarctica on the map.

A BAFTA nomination; a Webby award shortlist; and a highly-commended tag from the Geographical Association. These are just a few of the big-named organisations that have given the thumbs up to Discovering Antarctica – an interactive website where you can explore the continent online for yourself.

Since 2006, the FCO has teamed up with the Royal Geographical Society and British Antarctic Survey to create the site, which houses a range of multimedia interesting material. From 'cool facts' and audio newsflashes to an extensive image library and video clips showing the Antarctic ice shelves…it's all there. There is also a dedicated teachers area with downloadable resource material.

Protect the wildlife please!

Unique wildlife  exists in Antarctica and spreading the word on how to preserve it, is one of the projects the Government of the British Antarctic Territory has been involved with of late.

A Wildlife Awareness Manual has been produced to help reduce the impact of flights in the Antarctic Peninsula region. A Southern Ocean Cruising handbook has also been published to advise yachters about environmental regulations, which apply in Antarctica.

One hundred years ago in 1908 the UK declared sovereignty  in Antarctica, forming what is now known as the British Antarctic Territory (BAT).  Now, 100 years later, BAT is celebrating a century of British sovereignty by issuing a special commemorative coin, allowing collectors to capture a bit of history.

The coin will be issued later this year as legal tender within the Territory and will be available in cupro-nickel and sterling silver versions in £2 denomination. 

The coins add to three commemorative stamps the BAT issue every year. Stamp features have included Antarctic wildlife and various aspects of British endeavours in Antarctica including exploration and scientific research.

History fact box

The UK’s role in Antarctica began when Captain James Cook first circumnavigated the continent in 1772-75 and discovered “a country doomed by nature to lie buried under everlasting ice and snow”. UK interest continued into the 19th and 20th centuries with the voyages and explorations of, most notably, Sir James Clark Ross, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Captain Robert Scott and Sir Vivian Fuchs.

Did you know…

• The UK’s territorial claim in Antarctica is the oldest, dating from Letters Patent of 1908.
• The British Antarctic Territory (BAT) comprises the sector of Antarctica south of latitude 60°S and bounded by longitudes 20°W and 80°W.
• It is the largest of the UK’s 14 Overseas Territories covering some 1.7 million square kilometres, but has no indigenous population.

More interesting facts in our British Antarctic Territory country profile.

See more about how the FCO promotes a low carbon high growth economy.