Protection of the environment in Antarctica

73 ENGLISH SUMMARY Environmental Protection in Anarctica The main goal of my thesis is to describe and explain the legal structure and guaranteed environmental protection of the last continent. I want to deal with the very special legal system that governs Antarctica and is possible only because of the consensus of states that declared their territotial claims to this continent. My paper is devided into three main parts, namely, Introduction to Antarctica, The Antarctic Treaty System, The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, and The Czech Republic and the Antarctica. 1. Introduction to Antarctica I devoted the first part of my thesis to introducing the last continent and its special features. I mentioned the evolution of the continent, the first men who explored Antarctica, its climate, fauna and flora in the area covered by the Antarctic Treaty. I also included tourism and the growing number of visitors to Antarctica every year. 2. Antarctic Treaty System The roots of the special legal regime and the protection of the Antarctic environment are based on the Antarctic Treaty concluded in Washington, DC, in 1959. Since then, other legal instruments have been adopted and are part of the Antarctic Treaty System: Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, Convention on the..