Turkey's Journey to the White Continent

Antarctica, a land shrouded in icy mystery, has long captured the imagination of explorers and scientists alike. The ice-covered continent offers a unique natural laboratory for scientific research, hosting studies in diverse fields such as climate science, geophysics, biology, and even space sciences. These research efforts not only shed light on the planet’s past but also provide vital insights into its future.

As scientific communities around the world ramp up their efforts on the White Continent, Türkiye has charted its own course for polar research. Under the auspices of the Presidency and coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Antarctic Science Base Establishment Project was launched. In its wake, three national expeditions were carried out in 2017, 2018, and 2019 under the leadership of Istanbul Technical University’s Polar Research Center (ITU PolReC). These missions marked major milestones in Türkiye’s Antarctic engagement, bringing the country closer to achieving advisory status within the Antarctic Treaty System.

This book chronicles Türkiye’s journey to the White Continent—featuring the national expeditions, future Antarctic ambitions, and on-the-ground impressions captured through the eyes and lenses of Anadolu Ajansı reporters.