Part of Antarctica named after Queen as Diamond Jubilee gift

Part of Antarctica has been named “Queen Elizabeth Land” as the Foreign Office’s Diamond Jubilee gift for the Monarch.

13:50 20 December 2012

The Foreign Office has named a part of Antarctica after Queen Elizabeth II to mark the end of Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee year. ‘Queen Elizabeth Land’ is an uninhabitable 169,000 square mile chunk of the British Antarctic territory and is twice the size of the United Kingdom.

The area is thought to be far from places where penguins live and pretty grim in terms of being cold.

 

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, said: “This is a fitting tribute at the end of Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee year.”

 

He added: “To be able to recognise the UK's commitment to Antarctica permanent association with Her Majesty is a great honour.”

 

However, some experts say that the move could be driven by international politics. It is understood that the area is also part-claimed by Argentina and Chile.

 

Antarctica is the most southern continent in the world and houses the South Pole.