15 Fascinating Facts About Antarctica

Antarctica, also known as the White Continent, is a remote, wild, and frigid continent that is home to abundant wildlife, enormous glaciers, and the majority of the world’s ice. Here are 15 fascinating facts about Antarctica:

1. There are 7 species of penguins that live in Antarctica, including the Gentoo, Adelie, Chinstrap, Emperor, King, Macaroni, and Rockhopper penguins.
2. There are 6 different species of seals in Antarctica, including the Fur, Ross, Weddell, Leopard, Crabeater, and Elephant seals.
3. Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth and covers an area of 13.66 million square kilometers, making it roughly the same size as the United States and Mexico combined.
4. The highest mountain in Antarctica is Mount Vinson, standing at 4,892 meters tall. Mount Tyree is the second tallest mountain in Antarctica.
5. Antarctica is considered the coldest place on Earth, with the lowest temperature ever recorded being -89.2°C at Vostok Station.
6. Despite being covered in ice and snow, Antarctica is technically a desert due to its low annual precipitation.
7. The Antarctic ice sheet is almost 5 kilometers thick and contains roughly 70% of the world’s fresh water.
8. Roald Amundsen was the first person to reach the South Pole on December 14th, 1911.
9. Antarctica is home to an abundance of unique wildlife, including marine life and various seabirds.
10. There are no polar bears in Antarctica; they can only be found in the Arctic.
11. Antarctica was officially discovered in 1820 by Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen.
12. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 to promote peaceful scientific research and protect the unique environment of the continent.
13. There are no permanent residents in Antarctica, but various nations operate research stations on the continent.
14. Antarctica is important for scientific research, particularly in monitoring climate change and studying the effects of global warming.
15. Antarctica is volcanic, with two active volcanoes: Mount Erebus and Deception Island.

Visiting Antarctica is possible as a tourist, with specialized tour operators running expeditions to the continent. Most trips depart from Ushuaia in Argentina, but it is also possible to fly from Chile or visit via the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Antarctica remains a pristine and beautiful destination that continues to captivate explorers and travelers.

Source: 26 Fun Antarctica Facts that Will Blow Your Mind