Ross Dependency facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ross Dependency
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|---|---|
 Flag
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|
 |
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| Major bases |
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| Government | None |
| New Zealand dependency | |
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• Claim delegated
to New Zealand |
1923 |
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• Sector span
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160°E – 150°W |
| Area | |
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• Total
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450,000 km2 (170,000 sq mi) |
| Population | |
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• Seasonal estimate
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| Currency | New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
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• Summer (DST)
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UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| (Sep to Apr) | |
| Calling code | +64 2409 |
| Internet TLD | |
The Ross Dependency is a special part of Antarctica. It is a territory that New Zealand says belongs to it. This area also includes some land in the Southern Ocean.
The name "Ross Dependency" comes from Sir James Clark Ross. He was an explorer who discovered the Ross Sea.
This territory includes part of Victoria Land and most of the Ross Ice Shelf. Other islands like Ross Island, Balleny Islands, and Scott Island are also part of it. Even the ice-covered Roosevelt Island is included.
Contents
Life in the Ross Dependency
Scientific Bases and Settlements
The Ross Dependency is home to a few scientific bases. These are places where scientists live and work. The main ones are Scott Base from New Zealand and McMurdo Station from the United States. These are the only places where people live all year round.
There is also the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. This base is at the very edge of the territory. It is a busy place for research.
Getting Around by Air
The Ross Dependency has special runways for planes. There is a snow runway at Williams Field. Depending on the weather, there are also two ice runways. These runways make it possible for planes to land all year. This means people and supplies can get in and out easily.
Who Controls the Ross Dependency?
New Zealand's Claim
The British government first took control of this area in 1923. They then gave it to New Zealand to manage. New Zealand still considers it its territory.
If you look at the map, the Ross Dependency is huge. It is much bigger than New Zealand's North and South Islands combined. However, most of this area is covered by the Ross Sea or the Southern Ocean. The actual land part is not as large.
The Antarctic Treaty System
There is a special agreement called the Antarctic Treaty System. New Zealand is part of this agreement. This treaty says that no country can fully claim ownership over any part of Antarctica. It means countries agree to use Antarctica only for peaceful scientific research. So, while New Zealand claims the Ross Dependency, it cannot fully enforce its claim because of this treaty.
How it is Governed
The Governor-General of New Zealand also acts as the Governor of the Ross Dependency. Each year, special officers are chosen to help run the territory. They make sure things like scientific research and safety are managed well.
In the late 1980s, a British ship called Southern Quest sank in the Ross Sea. Helicopters from the United States Coast Guard helped rescue the crew. They were taken to McMurdo Station. This shows how different countries work together in Antarctica.
Images for kids
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This image shows McMurdo Sound on the right and the Dry Valleys on the left. Part of Ross Island is also visible.
See also
In Spanish: Dependencia Ross para niños
