There was a time when Antarctica was considered nothing more than an unlivable no man’s land of no special interest to any state. But just like with any formerly unwanted territory where resources such as oil are found, now countries are staking their claims left and right. Just last week Britain announced that it will be exercising its right to claim, under a U.N. treaty, Antarctic ocean shelf up to 350 miles off its shores. And now Chile wants a piece of the action. Reports AP:

Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley said Monday that Chile was planning to file a similar claim to extend its Antarctic territory but expected that negotiations between countries with stakes in the region would follow.

“No one can affect the rights Chile has on Antarctic territory,” Foxley told reporters. He noted there is a May 2009 deadline for filing a claim before the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. “We have plenty of time,” he said.

Chile and Britain aren’t alone in wanting a piece of the Antarctic pie. New Zealand, Russia and Spain, among others, have already registered claims.

Via / AP

Image by HRC via Flickr