Antarctica and the Importance of the Scientific Activities Carried Out by the Peruvian State

Abstract

In 1988, in its first scientific expedition, Peru established its presence in Antarctica. The following year, it carried out a second expedition making the decision to build “Machu Picchu” Scientific Station on King George Island, located in the Antarctic Peninsula, thereby demonstrating an enormous interest in maintaining an active and permanent image. This choice later allowed it to become a consultative member of the Antarctic Treaty with the right to speak and vote regarding the decision-making process and the legal regimes, based on which the activities carried out in the Antarctic region are regulated.
Peru, to this date, has carried out 27 scientific expeditions to Antarctica, with the participation of different public and private institutions engaged in research, carrying out more than 2000 exploration works.
The article´s objective is to highlight the importance of Peruvian scientific activities on the White Continent, taking into account the scientific research programs established by the Scientific Committee for Research in Antarctica. It also seeks to emphasize the national interests stated in the National Antarctic Policy. In order to do so, the insights of national and foreign researchers have been taken through personal interviews, as well as the testimonies of different international scientists, combining thus the main ideas and concepts to understand the importance of scientific research in this part of the world.