The international community has been constantly searching for an appropriate name for the Antarctic system of administration since the Antarctic Treaty System establishes an exceptional legal regime for a land territory that cannot be circumscribed in any of the structures of classical international law. Within the proposals, it is possible to find terms derived from Roman law such as res commune together with more modern concepts such as the common heritage of mankind. The legal status of Antarctica should adequately describe the situation of the territory in relation to matters of sovereignty, as well as the access, destination and use of its resources.
Keywords:
Antarctica, Legal Status, Sovereignty, National Territory, International Area, Res Nullius, Res Commune, Condominium, Common Heritage of Mankind
