Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva

Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva is a Chilean Antarctic station. It is the most important base for Chile in Antarctica. It is on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands.

Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva
Chilean Eduardo Frei Montalva Station
Location on King George Island
Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva
Location in Antarctica
Coordinates: 62°12′01″S 58°57′45″W / 62.200233°S 58.962633°W / -62.200233; -58.962633
Established7 March 1969 (1969-03-07)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Time zoneUTC−3 (CLST)

Description

The base is a large town, not just a small station. It is the biggest town in Antarctica. It has houses for people to live in, a hospital, a school, a bank, and a supermarket.

About 80 people live at the base in the winter. In the summer, there can be up to 150 people.

The base has a very important airport. Its name is Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Aerodrome, which is 1,300 meters long.[1] The airport is used by many countries. It brings scientists and tourists to Antarctica.

Research

Chilean scientists work here all year. They study:

  • The weather and climate
  • The geology (rocks and land) of the island
  • The wildlife like penguins and other birds

The base is named after Eduardo Frei Montalva, who was a president of Chile.

  1. Great Circle Mapper. "SCRM - Airport". Gc.kls2.com. Retrieved 27 February 2012.