ANTARCTICA
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE
The fifth largest continent with an area of 5.5 million sq. mi. (14,245,000 sq. km); it practically
fills the Antarctic Circle.
Snow & ice (up to 10,000 ft, 3000 m thick) cover ~98% of the continent; avg. summer temp. =
0ºF (-18ºC), avg. winter temp. = -70ºF (-57ºC). It’s also the world’s windiest & driest (2-10 in/yr,
5-25 cm/yr of precipitation) continent. It’s divided in half by the Transantarctic Mts. The highest
temperature so far recorded in Antarctica is 14.6°C (58.3°F) at Vanda Station (New Zealand
administered station) on 5 January 1974.
Lowest temperature so far recorded in Antarctica was -89.2°C (-128.6°F) at Vostok (Russian
administered station) on 21 July 1983.
One of the biggest icebergs ever (possibly the biggest iceberg ever) broke free from the Ross Ice
Shelf in Antarctica in 2000. 70% of the world's fresh water is tied up in Antarctic ice.
It was 295km (183 miles) long and 37km (23 miles) wide, with a surface area of 11,000 sq km
(4,250 square miles) above water - and 10 times bigger below. It's similar in size to The
Gambia, Qatar, the Bahamas, or Connecticut.
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland, and almost the only part of
that continent that extends outside the Antarctic Circle. The peninsula is highly mountainous,
with its highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800m (9186 ft). These mountains are considered
to be a continuation of the Andes with a submarine spine connecting the two. This is an
argument advanced by Chile and Argentina for their territorial claims to Antarctica. The
landscape of the peninsula is typical Antarctic tundra. The Antarctic Peninsula and Cape Horn
create a funneling effect, which channels the winds into the relatively narrow Drake Passage.
POPULATION
1000 researchers in winter
4000 researchers in summer
GEOPOLITICS
Seven countries have staked claims (some of which overlap): Chile, Argentina, Australia, New
Zealand, United Kingdom, France & Norway. No other countries recognize the claims.
Antarctic Treaty, entered into force in 1961 (extended in 1991) – signed by 46 countries
(including the above 7) – forbids any exploitation of the continent’s natural resources or military
activities.
The Argentine, British, and Chilean claims all overlap, and have caused friction. Australia claims
the largest area.
Various countries participating as members of Antarctica Treaty have a territorial interest in the
Antarctic continent but the provisions of the Treaty do not allow them to make their claims while
it is in force.
Brazil has a designated 'zone of interest' that is not an actual claim.
Peru has formally reserved its right to make a claim.
Russia has reserved its right to claim "territories discovered by Russians", which
potentially may refer to the entire continent.
South Africa has formally reserved its right to make a claim.
Spain has formally reserved its right to make a claim.
United States has formally reserved its right to make a claim.
ECONOMICS
Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic
activity. A total of 37,506 tourists visited during the 2006–07 Austral summer with nearly all of
them coming from commercial ships. The number is predicted to increase to over 80,000 by
2010.
Antarctica is the best place in the world to find meteorites. Why? - 2 reasons