Antarctica
Antarctica is a
continent surrounding the
Earth's
South Pole. It is the
coldest place on earth and is almost entirely covered by
ice. It is not to be confused with the
Arctic, which is located near the Earth's
North Pole.
Antarctica was discovered in late January
1820. For more details see the article on the
History of Antarctica.
Antarctica is the fifth largest continent in
area, after
Asia,
Africa,
North America, and
South America. However, it is the smallest in
population. It is also the continent with the highest\naverage
altitude, and the lowest average
humidity of any\ncontinent on Earth, as well as the lowest average temperature.
It has been assigned the
Internet ccTLD .aq.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Antarctica
Territorial claims
Several nations, particularly those close to the continent, made territorial claims in the 20th century. These claims have little practical relevance but continue be observed by cartographers.
Most countries that have observation or study facilities in Antarctica have those facilities within their claimed territory. The Antarctic Treaty defers these claims and most other nations do not recognize them. No other nations have made claims themselves, although the United States and Russia assert the right to do so.
\nNo formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west.
Former claims
in Antarctica]]
Population
\n
\nIt is usually estimated that at a given time there are at least 1000 people living in Antarctica. This varies strongly with season.
Antarctica has no permanent residents, but a number of governments maintain permanent research stations on the continent. Many of the stations are staffed around the year. These include:
- Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, South Pole (U.S. Antarctic Program)\n* Bernardo O'Higgins Station, Antarctic Peninsula, Chilean Army.\n* Casey, Vincennes Bay (Australian Antarctic Division)\n* Davis, Princess Elizabeth Land (Australian Antarctic Division)\n* Dumont d'Urville Station (66°40'S, 140°00'E) France\n* Eduardo Frei Montalva Station and Villa Las Estrellas, King George Island, Chilean Air Force.\n* Georg von Neumayer Station, (70°39'S, 08°15'W) (Atka-Bay) (Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany)\n* Halley Research Station (75°35' S, 26°34' W) British Antarctic Survey\n* Maitri Station, (70°45.58' S, 11°43.56' E) near Schirmacher Region (Indian Antarctic Program)\n* Marambio Station, Seymour-Marambio Island (Argentina) website\n* McMurdo Station, Ross Island (U.S.)\n* Macquarie Island (Australian Antarctic Division)\n* Mawson, Mac Robertson Land (Australian Antarctic Division)\n* Palmer Station, Anvers Island (U.S.)\n* Rothera Research Station (67°34' S, 68°08' W) British Antarctic Survey\n* SANAE (South African National Antarctic Expeditions), on the Fimbul Coastal Ice Shelf in Queen Maud Land\n* Scott Base, Ross Island (New Zealand)\n* Vostok, Antarctica (78 28'S and 106 48'E) (Russia)
See also
External links
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Category:Continents\nCategory:Geography
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