Larsemann Hills

Designated an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) in 2007 and managed jointly by five countries with active research facilities in the area — Australia, China, India, Romania and Russia — the Larsemann Hills form one of the largest ice-free areas in East Antarctica and hold one of the highest densities of permanent research stations of multiple nationalities on the continent, which has demanded an unusual framework of joint coordination to keep down the accumulated environmental impact of so many stations close together.