Who We Are


The UK Antarctic Place-names Committee (APC) considers proposals and makes recommendations for place names within the British Antarctic Territory (BAT); that area of the Antarctic south of 60°S and extending from 20°W to 80°W. The APC also considers and recommends names for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands .

Following endorsement by the Commissioner of the British Antarctic Territory, Paul Candler, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Nigel Phillips CBE, names can then be used in reports, publications, maps and charts. The Commmittee will not consider proposals for ephemeral features such as icebergs.

The APC also considers names for features within the sector of Antarctica between 80°W and 150°W and south of 60°S. Names approved for this area will be submitted to SCAR for inclusion in the Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica but will not be added to the BAT Gazetteer.

Where place names are proposed for features elsewhere in Antarctica, the APC considers the proposals. If the place names are considered acceptable, the APC liaises with the place-naming authorities of other countries.

Names for underwater features, which are within 12 miles of the coast or ice shelves and are important to navigation, are dealt with by the APC. Names for features more than 12 miles offshore are dealt with by the International Hydrographic Organization.

Remit of the APC
BAT and SGGSI