Wilkes Land is a large land in Antarctica fronting on the lndian Ocean between Queen Mary Coast and George V Coast, extending from Cape Hordern in 10031E to Point Alden in 14202E. Named for Rear Admiral 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 14202E which was sighted by Wilkes but has been shown by later expeditions to be farther south than the positions originally assigned by him.