Abstract: This paper traces France's role in the Antarctic from 1840, when explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville discovered the slice of the white continent he named Terre Adelie, to the present day. Since World War II, Terre Adelie has been the site of a host of performances of sovereignty: the French have built bases, drawn maps, conducted scientific investigations and erected plaques. But France's commitment to Terre Adelie has been tested and has fallen into crisis several times. The history of France in Antarctica is a tale of ambition, ambivalence, trade...
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