WILKES LAND

region in Antarctica, bordering the Indian Ocean between Queen Mary and George V coasts (10014220 E). The region is almost entirely covered by a featureless ice cap averaging from 6,000 to 9,500 feet (1,800 to 2,900 m) above sea level. First sighted (183842) by the U.S. naval commander Charles Wilkes, for whom the land is named, it was not explored until the late 1940s. Included in the region are the coasts of Clarie, Banzare, Sabrina, Budd, and Knox, which are all claimed by Australia; and Adlie Coast, which is claimed by France. Australia, France, and the United States maintain stations along the Wilkes Land coasts.