ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the themes and geography of the evolving human interest in the resources of Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic islands. Human interest in the region has encompassed geographical and scientific discovery, adventure, commercial exploitation of resources, political strategy and, most recently, tourism, environmental management and conservation. While Antarctica remains unique for its scientific, ecological and environmental values, it is no longer a forgotten continent, of interest to a few hardy explorers, commercial entrepreneurs or scientists. Scientific activity, nevertheless, remains the prime reason for a permanent human presence in Antarctica, and international scientific cooperation played a central role in preparing the ground for the Antarctic Treaty. There has thus been a fundamental shift in perception of Antarctica from James Cook's original vision of a geographically remote, hostile and useless environment to one in which that environment itself is now considered to be threatened by human activities and so require protection.
