Antarctica belongs to no nation but is instead governed by an international agreement known as the Antarctic Treaty. The original draft which dates back to 1961 (together with the additional Protocols that have since been added) has set aside this special continent as a reserve to be used only for peaceful and scientific purposes.

Among other things, the Treaty bans nuclear weapons and military occupation, and promotes a culture of scientific discovery and cooperation between nations. Some 45 countries have signed the agreement, covering 74% of the world’s population.

Tourism is a growing responsibility for the Antarctic Treaty nations, and they have enacted strict regulations to protect the continent from interested visitors. Permits to visit Antarctica are only granted to cruise operators who have demonstrated that appropriate safety and environmental procedures are in place.