Antarctic Treaty

Antarctic Treaty is a set of agreements that regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica.

For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of sixty degrees south latitude. The treaty entered into force in 1961 and currently has 54 parties. The treaty sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, and bans military activity on the continent.

Trivia

 * It has been a frequent topic for postage stamps.