Wilkes Land is the largest district of the Australian Antarctic Territory in Eastern Antarctica, fronting on the southern Indian Ocean between Queen Mary Coast and Adelie Land, extending from from Cape Hordern in 100°31'E to Pourquoi Pas Point , in 136°11E. The region is further subdivided in the following coastal areas which can be thought of sectors extending to the South Pole:
- Knox Land 100°31' E to 109°16' E
- Budd Land 109°16' E to 115°33' E
- Sabrina Land 115°33' E to 122°05' E
- Banzare Land 122°05' E to 130°10'E
- Clarie Land (Wilkes Coast) 130°10'E to 136°11' E
In a wider sense, Wilkes Land extends further East to Point Alden in 142°02'E, thereby including Adelie Land, which is claimed by France.
Named for Rear Admiral (then-lieutenant) Charles Wilkes, American explorer who was in command of the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838–42. The name has been applied over this extent in recognition of the fact that Wilkes recognized the phenomena of the continental margin over a distance of 1,500 miles of coast and thus first provided substantial proof that Antarctica is a continent. This definition of extent excludes the area east of 142°02'E, George V Land , which was sighted by Wilkes but has been shown by later expeditions to be farther south than the positions originally assigned by him.
