BULGARIAN ANTARCTIC INSTITUTE
ANTARCTIC PLACE-NAMES COMMISSION
TOPONYMIC GUIDELINES FOR ANTARCTICA
1. Introduction
In Antarctica geographical names are important elements of identification, orientation, localization and navigation, providing an essential reference system for logistic operations, including search and rescue measures, and for international scientific research. They facilitate information exchange in the field, in scientific publications and in administrative measures under the Antarctic Treaty System. Geographical names also reflect the history of Antarctic exploration.
The principles and procedures for naming geographical features in Antarctica formulated hereafter:
(1) Are applied to land and subglacial features, ice shelves, and inshore features of the continental shelf south of 60º S;
(2) Should be followed on maps, in publications, in databases etc;
(3) Relate to Bulgarian place names and their Romanization;
(4) Are based on established practices in Antarctic place naming, and incorporate elaborations of the SCAR Work Programme on Antarctic place names.
2. General principles
A geographical name primarily serves to distinguish the feature from all others; it should be unique in Antarctica.
The principal purpose of a name is to supply effective and appropriate means of identifying the feature beyond doubt; commemoration of persons or events is a secondary consideration.
New names are assigned to Antarctic features if it is of necessity in the course of research or field work, or for navigation, or if they have become well established.
3. Types of geographical features
A geographical name normally consists of a generic element defining the topographic feature class (bay, mount, glacier etc.) and a specific element distinguishing it from geographical names of the same class. The generic element might be omitted with the definite article used instead.
