London: Britain Monday renamed a part of Antarctica, almost twice the size of the UK, after Queen Elizabeth II to honour her for completing 60 years on the throne.
The southern part of the British Antarctic Territory had been named as Queen Elizabeth Land, the Foreign Office said.
The announcement was made by British Foreign Secretary William Hague as the 86-year-old queen visited the Foreign Office here today after leaving Downing Street, where she attended a Cabinet meeting.
The territory, covering 169,000 sq miles - almost twice the size of the UK - was previously unnamed, BBC reported.
"This is a fitting tribute at the end of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee year, and I am very proud to be able to announce it as she visits the Foreign and Commonwealth Office," Hague said.
Queen Elizabeth Land will be marked on all British maps in future, the Foreign Office said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 18:50