Antarctica is divided up into a whole bunch of wedge-shaped territories managed by different countries (plus an international treaty where everyone agreed to only use it for scientific purposes), and most research stations are near the coast. The Chilean, Argentinian, and British areas are in that area near South America. For the rest, starting in South America would mean you’d have to cross a big chunk or even all of Antarctica to get where you want to be
Are Americas closer to Antarctica than Australia?
Why don’t they go there from South America instead of New Zealand?
Argentina/Chili claim ownership, why visit your own country?
Antarctica is divided up into a whole bunch of wedge-shaped territories managed by different countries (plus an international treaty where everyone agreed to only use it for scientific purposes), and most research stations are near the coast. The Chilean, Argentinian, and British areas are in that area near South America. For the rest, starting in South America would mean you’d have to cross a big chunk or even all of Antarctica to get where you want to be
That is it, the small map screwed my perspective.
I’ve only ever heard of people going to Antarctica from the south of Chile (though I guess it depends where in Antarctica you’re trying to get to)
They go to Antarctica from Chile all the time.