Antarctica might be a frozen wonderland, but it has some seriously strange rules! For starters, you can’t bring dogs there—no pups allowed! It’s because scientists worry dogs might spread diseases to the native seals. You also can’t bring fresh soil or plants because they could mess up the fragile ecosystem. Forget about taking rocks or fossils as souvenirs—they’re off-limits too, since they’re part of important research. And surprisingly, drones are banned in many parts to avoid disturbing wildlife or the peace of the icy wilderness. Antarctica is all about protecting its unique, untouched environment! 🐧❄️ Credits: CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/: Antarctic Treaty: by Mbreen, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1959_Antarctic_Treaty.jpg Deschampsia antarctica: by Lomvi2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deschampsia_antarctica.jpg Honey bucket: by CambridgeBayWeather, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honey_bucket.jpg CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/: Portal Poin: by Joseph W. Holliday, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portal_Point.jpg Antarktische Halbinsel: by W. Bulach, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:00_2121_Antarktische_Halbinsel_-_Cuverville_Island.jpg Antarctic Pearlwort: by Liam Quinn, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antarctic_Pearlwort.jpg, https://flic.kr/p/9S3j9U Animation is created by Bright Side. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/ Check our Bright Side podcast on Spotify and leave a positive review! https://open.spotify.com/show/0hUkPxD34jRLrMrJux4VxV Subscribe to Bright Side: https://goo.gl/rQTJZz ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightside Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightside.official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brightside.official?lang=en Telegram: https://t.me/bright_side_official Stock materials (photos, footages and other): https://www.depositphotos.com https://www.shutterstock.com https://www.eastnews.ru ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more videos and articles visit: http://www.brightside.me ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.
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00:00There are almost 200 countries in the world, and each has a bunch of laws that citizens
00:06should follow.
00:08Some of them might be pretty strange sometimes.
00:11For example, in some places in Greece, it's prohibited to wear heels.
00:17Meanwhile, in Samoa, it's illegal to forget your wife's birthday.
00:25What if I told you there's a place on Earth with absolutely no laws, and it's not a country,
00:31but an entire continent?
00:33Welcome to Antarctica!
00:36At least that's what I'll tell you if you manage to scrape together your savings and
00:39shell out at least $8,000 to travel to the South Pole.
00:44Technically speaking, there are no laws here, just like I mentioned before.
00:48Since it isn't a country, it can't have any laws.
00:53The situation there isn't too different from being out in international waters.
00:58If there were laws governing Antarctica, that would imply it's a sovereign territory ruled
01:03by some government or governments.
01:06Sorry to burst the bubble for all the power-hungry folks, but this continent isn't up for grabs.
01:12Seven countries, namely Great Britain, New Zealand, France, Chile, Norway, Australia,
01:18and Argentina, have territorial claims on it.
01:22And there are actually people living there right now.
01:26So how do things get done in Antarctica?
01:30Its status is like a no-man's land, and world powers plan to keep it that way.
01:35In reality, the international scientific community governs Antarctica, since they're the ones
01:40working and operating on the continent.
01:44However, this cooperation likely wouldn't have been possible without the Antarctic Treaty
01:49of 1959, which laid the groundwork for how everything functions today.
01:55To be honest, this treaty isn't something that can pique your interest.
02:00It basically states that Antarctica should remain neutral and includes some basic information
02:04about its territorial status, that's all.
02:08There's really nothing useful for the average traveler like you and me.
02:13When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?
02:16Before going somewhere, it's cool to know specific things about your destination.
02:20Like that in Singapore, chewing gum can get you in serious trouble.
02:25Or that in Tajikistan, grown men aren't really advised to wear shorts in public.
02:31So imagine you've found that money, bought the heaviest jacket you could find, and finally
02:37ventured into this land.
02:39What do you need to know, and what should you absolutely avoid doing there?
02:45It all starts with how you pack your bags.
02:47One big tip for anyone visiting this continent is to adhere to the don't-pack-a-pest rule.
02:54You must follow strict procedures to avoid introducing non-native species into the environment.
03:00Most of these non-natives are plant species, around 121, including fungi.
03:05But some folks have managed to introduce 72 invertebrates, 8 mammals, and 3 bird species.
03:13There are even worms in Antarctica now.
03:16Actually, every time a new species comes to Antarctica, it has all the chances to become
03:21an invasive species in case they survive the frigid temperatures.
03:27Invasive species often flourish in new environments because they lack natural predators.
03:33Take the brown tree snake for example.
03:35These snakes were accidentally brought to Guam in the late 40s or early 50s.
03:40With no local predators, and plenty of birds and rodents to munch on, their numbers skyrocketed.
03:47They even caused the extinction of 9 out of 11 forest bird species on the island.
03:52It's clear that the negative reputation of invasive species is well-deserved for both
03:57animals and plants.
04:00So to ensure the list of plants in Antarctica doesn't grow, there are strict hygiene rules
04:05in place.
04:07Everything you bring must be washed, decontaminated, and inspected daily.
04:13For example, all the Velcros you've got?
04:15They're prime hiding spots for plants, and they'll even give you a quick vacuum just
04:19to make sure you're not sneaking in any seeds.
04:23Once you're there, be prepared for things to get a bit dirty.
04:27You can't take an actual shower in Antarctica.
04:30It doesn't matter if you're visiting for one day or 50.
04:33You just can't do it.
04:35There's no running water, so say hello to wet wipes and bid farewell to flushing toilets,
04:40too.
04:41All in all, going number two isn't the best experience.
04:45Imagine you lower your pants while bundled up in a few down jackets and settle onto a
04:50bucket.
04:51No ceramic throne for you here.
04:53Enjoy your potty and get throwbacks to the times when you were a toddler.
04:58Inside that bucket, there's a plastic bag tucked within another.
05:02Once the inner bag is filled with solid waste and toilet paper, you seal it up tight with
05:06a couple of cable ties.
05:08Then wrap the outer bag around it and secure it in the same way.
05:12After that, the bucket is covered with a plastic lid and shipped off to New Zealand for proper
05:16disposal.
05:18Why New Zealand?
05:19I don't know.
05:22I know you're curious since I only touched upon number two.
05:26Number one rule.
05:27Collect your waste in 20-liter barrels.
05:30Unlike your more serious discharge, this barrel won't be shipped to New Zealand, as it can
05:35be treated right there at the base.
05:38Once you're done, make sure to wash your hands.
05:40Ha, gotcha.
05:41You can't do that, you princess.
05:44Just hit the hand sanitizer to clean your hands.
05:47Now, if you want a drink, please do not eat the snow.
05:52First off, it's very much protected there.
05:55Second, it will only make your thirst situation worse.
05:58Rumor has it, if you eat snow to quench your thirst, you can get dehydrated.
06:03But it's more of a myth.
06:05But the risk of hypothermia is very real.
06:07So if you want to have a cup of tea and you need some water, you'll have to boil some
06:11ice.
06:12Don't worry, it's not expired just because it's millions of years old.
06:17The boiling will do the trick.
06:19By the way, nothing goes bad there, so you don't even need a fridge to keep food fresh.
06:24The researchers living there store their food outside because, in their camps, there are
06:28no bugs.
06:31Speaking of Antarctic wildlife, it might be tough for you as a tourist to spot any creatures
06:36in the wild.
06:37But even if you do, please resist the urge to feed them.
06:41It's a big no-no to feed, touch, or handle birds or seals.
06:46And don't approach or photograph them in a way that disrupts their behavior.
06:50Plus, their stomachs might not appreciate what you have to offer.
06:55Another thing you have to be super cautious about is lichen.
07:00When people picture Antarctica, they usually envision endless snow with an occasional peak
07:04of black rock underneath.
07:07But believe it or not, plants do grow there.
07:11Various types of grass, moss, and lichen.
07:16Since these plants take a long time to grow, especially with six months of total darkness
07:21and temperatures that can plunge negative four degrees Fahrenheit even in summer, be
07:26mindful of where you walk, stick to the snow, and don't step on the lichen as it's vital
07:32to Antarctica's ecosystem.
07:35Also, don't leave things on the ground.
07:39There is a rule against this to prevent disturbing local biodiversity.
07:44Snow is just as protected as lichen.
07:47You can't pick it up or make snow angels.
07:50So basically, you've got to preserve this precious white stuff.
07:53And no throwing snowballs either.
07:57There is a tiny loophole in the law, though.
07:59There are specific small areas where you're allowed to hang out.
08:03You can break the rules if there are no penguin colonies within 12 miles.
08:08At a place called Portal Point.
08:10Technically, when you're there, you're in the UK.
08:14Portal Point is a narrow spot in the northeast part of Recluse Peninsula, on the west coast
08:19of Gramland.
08:22When it comes to the delicate balance of Antarctica, leave stones alone, too.
08:27Remember the butterfly effect?
08:29Even a small action can set off a chain reaction.
08:32Everyone loves a souvenir, but if everyone takes a rock, there will be none left.
08:37So just a heads up, taking anything, rocks, feathers, bones, or even soil is a big no-no.
08:45And if you spot something human-made, hands off.
08:48It could be scientific gear.
08:50If you find something cool like a fossil, just take a pic and make a note of where you
08:54found it.
08:56Scientists will appreciate it way more than you will.
08:59Plus, you'll get an awesome shot.
09:01It's a win-win!
09:02That's it for today!
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