has any country claimed the ownership of Antarctica? Can I if I wanted too?

Answer 1

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries. The treaty prohibits military activities and mineral mining, supports scientific research, and protects the continent's ecozone. Ongoing experiments are conducted by more than 4,000 scientists of many nationalities and with different research interests.
As the only uninhabited continent, Antarctica has no government and belongs to no country. Various countries claim areas of it. The area between 90°W and 150°W is the only part of Antarctica, indeed the only solid land on Earth, not claimed by any country.[24]

Since 1959, claims on Antarctica have been suspended and the continent is considered politically neutral. Its status is regulated by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and other related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System. For the purposes of the Treaty System, Antarctica is defined as all land and ice shelves south of 60°S. The treaty was signed by 12 countries, including the Soviet Union and the United States. It set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation, environmental protection, and banned military activity on that continent. This was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War.

The Antarctic Treaty prohibits any military activity in Antarctica, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military manoeuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon. Military personnel or equipment are only permitted for scientific research or for other peaceful purposes.[31] The only documented land military manoeuvre was Operation NINETY, undertaken by the Argentine military.[32]

The United States military issues the Antarctica Service Medal to military members or civilians who perform research duty on the Antarctica continent. The medal includes a "wintered over" bar issued to those who remain on the continent for two complete six-month seasons

Antarctic territorial claims
Country Territory Claim limits Date
Argentina Argentine Antarctica 25°W to 74°W 1943
Australia Australian Antarctic Territory 160°E to 142°2′W and 136°11′W to 44°38′E 1933
Chile Antarctic Chilean Territory 53°W to 90°W 1940
France Adélie Land 142°2′E to 136°11′E 1924
New Zealand Ross Dependency 150°W to 160°E 1923
Norway Queen Maud Land 44°38′E to 20°W 1939
Peter I Island 68°50′S 90°35′W 1929
United Kingdom British Antarctic Territory 20°W to 80°W 1908
NONE Unclaimed territory 90°W to 150°W

The Argentine, British and Chilean claims all overlap. Australia has the greatest claim of Antarctic territory.

Germany also maintained a claim to Antarctica, known as New Swabia, between 1939 and 1945. It was situated from 20°E to 10°W, overlapping Norway's claim.

Answer 2

Antarctica Ownership

Answer 3

Why would you want to own Antarctica?

I hear you can take a cruise to Antarctica now. Wow.

Answer 4

NO, no country owns antarctica.

i don't think you can own it.