What are the special features of Antarctica?

Answer 1

Antarctica is Earth's southernmost continent, underlying the South Pole. It is situated in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean.

At 14.0 million km² (5.4 million sq mi), it is the fifth-largest continent in area after Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice, which averages at least 1.6 kilometres (1.0 mi) in thickness.Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents.

Antarctica is considered a desert, with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and far less inland.

There are no permanent human residents but anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at the research stations scattered across the continent.

Only cold-adapted plants survive there, including mosses, lichen, and many types of algae. Sea mammals and sea birds breed on Antarctica's beaches.

The name Antarctica is the romanized version of the Greek compound word antarktik, feminine of antarktikos, meaning "opposite to the north".

Although myths and speculation about a Terra Australis("Southern Land") date back to antiquity, the first confirmed sighting of the continent is commonly accepted to have occurred in 1820 by the Russian expedition of Mikhail Lazarev and Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen.

The continent, however, remained largely neglected for the rest of the 19th century because of its hostile environment, lack of resources, and isolation. The first formal use of the name "Antarctica" as a continental name in the 1890s is attributed to the Scottish cartographer John George Bartholomew.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by twelve countries; to date, forty-six countries have signed the treaty. The treaty prohibits military activities and mineral mining, supports scientific research, and protects the continent's ecozone.

Ongoing experiments are conducted by more than 4,500 temporary workers, including scientists of many nationalities and with different research interests. Every experiment or data gathering expedition focuses on learning more about the health of planet earth.

Answer 2

Antarctica is an environment which is unique on our planet. It is a special wilderness which is worth preserving.

Answer 3

There is artic wildlife, the south pole, and apparently a large oil supply

Answer 4

Antarctica is the highest, driest, coldest, windiest, darkest, iciest continent on earth. You can pick three of these that you want.