Great Wall Station (Antarctica)

Great Wall Station
长城站
Antarctic base
Great Wall Station
Location of Great Wall Station in Antarctica
Great Wall Station
Location of Great Wall Station in Antarctica
Coordinates: 62°13′01″S 58°57′43″W / 62.216838°S 58.961855°W / -62.216838; -58.961855Coordinates: 62°13′01″S 58°57′43″W / 62.216838°S 58.961855°W / -62.216838; -58.961855
Country  China
Location in Antarctica Fildes Peninsula
King George Island
Administered by Polar Research Institute of China
Established 20 February 1985 (1985-02-20)
Elevation 10 m (30 ft)
Population
 • Total
  • Up to 40
Type All-year round
Period Annual
Status Operational
Website Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration

The Great Wall Station (simplified Chinese: 长城站; traditional Chinese: 長城站; pinyin: Chángchéng Zhàn) was the first Chinese research station in Antarctica and opened on 20 February 1985. It lies on the Fildes Peninsula on King George Island, and is about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) from the Chilean Frei Montalva Station, and 960 kilometres (600 mi) from Cape Horn. The station is sited on ice-free rock, about 10 metres (33 ft) above sea level.

In summer, the station holds up to 40 people; in winter, 14. The station's No. 1 Building, erected in 1985, lies at the centre of the station and has a total floor area of 175 square metres (1,880 sq ft). It marks the beginning of China’s presence in Antarctica and its Antarctic research program.

Two sites at the station have been designated one of the Historic Sites and Monuments in Antarctica following a proposal by China to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting: a monolith erected to commemorate the establishment of the station[1] and the station’s No.1 Building.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "List of Historic Sites and Monuments approved by the ATCM (2012)" (PDF). Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. 2012. Retrieved 2014-01-03.

Bibliography

  • "Chinese expeditioners to reach highest Antarctic icecap". news.xinhuanet.com. 2008-01-08. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  • "China To Build 3rd Station In Antarctica". Space Daily (www.spacedaily.com). Retrieved 2008-01-06.
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