at least 11 children have been born in antarctica. the first was emilio marcos palma, born on 7 january 1978 to argentine parents at esperanza, hope bay, near the tip of the antarctic peninsula. the first girl born in the antarctic continent was marisa de las nieves delgado, born on may 27, 1978. the birth occurred at fortín sargento cabral, base esperanza (argentine army) to parents nestor arturo delgado and juana pabla benitez, both argentines from the province of salta in northwest argentina. at least 8 live births were recorded at esperanza base between 1978 and 1983. in 1984, juan pablo camacho was born at the presidente eduardo frei montalva base, becoming the first chilean born in antarctica. soon after, a girl, gisella, was born at the same station. in 2001, "national geographic" reported that eight children had been born at esperanza alone.