THE transcontinental countries They are those who exercise their sovereignty over territories located simultaneously on several continents. Currently, there are two categories of transcontinental countries: bicontinentalwith a presence on 2 continents (like the Eurasians) and the tricontinentalwith territories on 3 continents.
While France and the United Kingdom administer territories on three or more continents, it is the only country in the world that defines itself as “tricontinental”. This characterization and claim responds to the distribution of its territory. Then, how this particularity affects politics, education and foreign relations
What is the only country in the world located on three continents?
Pepper It is the only country in the world that defines itself as ‘tricontinental’with a geographical presence on three continents: America, Oceania and Antarctica. This is a postulate which is based on the division of its territory into three different zones:
- Mainland Chile: most of Chilean territory and where almost the entire population resides. This segment covers a vast strip of the coast of the Southern Cone, limited to the east by the Andes mountain range and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
- Chile Island: formed by a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, some of them located in Polynesia, as is the case of Easter Islandin Oceania. This island territory places Chile in a geographical and cultural context different from that of South America.
- Chilean Antarctic Territory: an area of more than a million square kilometers, located between the meridians 53°W and 90°W, over which Chile claims sovereignty. This territory falls under the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty, which freezes sovereignty claims, allowing its use only for peaceful and scientific purposes.
What is Chile’s presence on three continents?
The vision of Chile as a tricontinental country not only responds to geography, but also influences its foreign policy and in its relationship with the Pacific Ocean. This policy includes the development of concept of “sea in person”an idea promoted by the Chilean government to strengthen its position in the Pacific, particularly around its island territories and Antarctic claims.
In this context, the Pacific Ocean plays a key role in Chile’s tricontinental identity. The islands love Juan Fernandez and Desventuradaslocated in the South Pacific, are part of the American part of the country. On the other hand, Easter Island And Salas and Gómez Islandlocated in Polynesia, positions Chile as part of Oceania.
Chile’s “sea in person” establishes a zone of influence in the Pacific where the country maintains a presence to manage activities such as fishing and scientific research.
Chilean law defines this zone as the space between its exclusive economic zone and the edge of the continental shelf of Easter Island, extending to the South Pole. This definition strengthens Chile’s presence on three continentsmarking a line of diplomatic and commercial action.
Chilean treaties and agreements in the peaceful domain
Chile’s strategy in the Pacific Ocean is also reflected in its adherence to international agreements. Striking examples are the Pacific Alliance, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement.
These agreements position Chile in a network of cooperation that transcends purely South American interests, integrating the country into a broader structure encompassing the entire Pacific region.
Chile’s claims and presence in Antarctica
THE Chile’s claim to Antarctica It is a central axis of its tricontinental design. The country has claimed a sector of Antarctica comprising 1,250,257 square kilometers since 1940, although the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 established that The use of this region must be exclusively peaceful and oriented towards scientific research.
It should be remembered that Chile maintains an active presence in Antarctica through the Villa Las Estrellas base, a civilian colony where health, education, radio and television stations operate.
This presence is not only a demonstration of their territorial claim, but also a contribution to global scientific research.
Chile’s Antarctic claim, although limited by the Antarctic Treaty, remains relevant in its foreign policy, strengthening its role as a tricontinental country and allowing it to cooperate with other countries in the scientific and environmental fields.
The role of education and national identity
At the educational level, tricontinentality is part of the Chilean curriculum, although certain aspects such as the Antarctic claim tend to be less emphasized. In this context, Chilean education has placed more emphasis on scientific contribution than on sovereignty over Antarctica. promote studies of unique flora, fauna and ecosystems of this region.
However, the integration of the concept of tricontinentality in education is essential for the national identity. This educational aspect allows future generations to value Chile’s presence on three continents, which strengthens Chile’s position on the international scene.
