At the occasion of bicentennial of discovery of Antarctica in 1820, the paper addresses the legal framework applicable to this ice-covered continent. Territorial claims of several countries met the rejection of international community. Countries involved in Antarctic polar research gradually established Antarctic Treaty System for its management. Environment protection has become primary concern in contemporary Antarctica. Thanks to its systematic research activities conducted at the Mendel Polar Station, the Czech Republic achieved a privileged position in the system. Czech involvement resulted into enactment of Czech Antarctic law.