Читать книгу Polar Exploration. A practical handbook for North and South Pole expeditions онлайн

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Historically the only reasons for man to claim parts of the Arctic or Antarctic were nationalistic ones, with the extra bonus of economic growth. Later, claiming unknown lands or parts of the frozen seas became a sport in order to exploit either the riches that could be found on land or the best fishing grounds. Nations like Holland, Great Britain, Norway, Germany and the United States, to name just a few, tempted to explore the High North and the Deep South, were confronted with many difficulties, with heroic tales of the surviving crews surely outnumbered by those of the mariners who froze to death. There was nothing exotic about the harsh environment of the poles.

Consequently it is no surprise that, so far, the polar regions have been left alone. We know that today the strict legislation surrounding the fishing industry regulates the coming and going of anyone with commercial intent, and that any claims on landmasses will be condemned. But we also know that there is no border control once you go south from any of the nations that offer jump-off points for a visit to Antarctica; equally there is no customs check when you travel north from the last landmasses before you set foot on the Arctic Ocean.