Check Our Website : http://www.travels1001nights.com Antarctica (Listeni/ænˈtɑrktɨkə/ or /æntˈɑrtɨkə/)[Note 1] is Earth's southernmost continent, containing the geographic 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. For comparison, Antarctica is nearly twice the size of Australia. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages at least 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) in thickness,[5] which extends to all but the northernmost reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents.[6] Antarctica is considered a desert, with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and far less inland.[7] The temperature in Antarctica has reached −89 °C (−129 °F). 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 organisms survive, including many types of algae, bacteria, fungi, plants, protista, and certain animals, such as mites, nematodes, penguins, seals and tardigrades. Vegetation where it occurs is tundra. Although myths and speculation about a Terra Australis ("Southern Land") date back to antiquity, the Russian expedition of Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev on Vostok and Mirny first sighted a continental ice shelf in 1820. The continent, however, remained largely neglected for the rest of the 19th century because of its hostile environment, lack of resources, and isolation. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries; to date, 49 countries have signed the treaty. The treaty prohibits military activities and mineral mining, prohibits nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal, supports scientific research, and protects the continent's ecozone. Ongoing experiments are conducted by more than 4,000 scientists from many nations. Extra Tags: Antartica travel guide travel to Antartica Antartica tourism travel Antartica Antartica travel tips Antartica travel card Antartica tours Antartica travel packages Antartica travel information what to do in Antartica Antartica guide Antartica info places to visit in Antartica ferry to Antartica Antartica tourist attractions Antartica travel deals traveling to Antartica guide Antartica Antartica tourist guide Antartica attractions travel in Antartica Antartica tour Antartica the netherlands travelling to Antartica visiting Antartica cheap travel to Antartica Antartica tour guide i Antartica things to do in Antartica Antartica what to do lonely planet Antartica Antartica lonely planet Antartica gay travel travel guide Antartica things to do Antartica things to see in Antartica tours Antartica tourism Antartica Antartica visit Antartica places to visit tour Antartica tourist information Antartica Antartica ferry tours in Antartica Antartica tourism guide info Antartica what to see in Antartica Antartica sightseeing travel hotel Antartica Antartica city tour Antartica city tours guide to Antartica ferries to Antartica Antartica city Antartica travel info Antartica city centre Antartica tourist information Antartica city guide

• published: 04 Jun 2014
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