Antarctica

Antarctica is the 5th largest, and probably the coldest, driest and windiest continent on earth, located at the southern hemisphere. The large continent captures almost the entire south of the Antarctic Circle. Southern Ocean borders the continent. About 90% of the entire world's ice concentrates in the continent. As its geographic position suggests, almost 98% of the continent is covered by 1.6 km thick ice. The interior of the continent is presumed to possess the largest desert in the world.


HISTORY:- In early 16th century, a clear indication of a hypothetical southern land could be seen in Turkish Piri Reis map. In 17th century, explorers proved that South America and Australia did not make any part of the hypothetical land. Captain James Cook's ships, HMS Resolution and Adventure had crossed the Antarctic Circle in 1773 and 1774. Officially, Antarctica was first viewed by three men- Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, Edward Bransfield, and Nathaniel Palmer in 1920. In 1921, John Davis first landed on the Western Antarctica. West of the Balleny Islands was sailed in 1839. The part of the continent was renamed with "Wilkes Land". In 1941, James Clark Ross discovered Ross Island. Mercator Cooper explored the eastern part of Antarctica in 1853. Ernest Shackleton climbed on Mount Erebus in 1907. He reached to the South Magnetic Pole. Roald Amundsen arrived at the South Pole. Richard Evelyn Byrd led many air expeditions in 1930s and 1940s to Antarctica. The United States Navy troop, led by George J. Dufek landed an aircraft successfully on the surface of South Pole in 1956.

 

GEOGRAPHY:- The continent of Antarctica is located at 90 00 S, 0 00 E in the Antarctic Circle. The total area of the continent is 14 million sq km, in which 280,000 sq km is ice-free, and 13.72 million sq km is ice-covered. It is the 5th largest continent in the world. The coast line is 17,968 km long along with the Southern Ocean. 98% of the continent is made of thick ice sheet and rest 2% is formed of barren mountains. The mountain ranges elevate between 2000 to 4000 meters. Some coastal areas-southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound, are ice free. Floating ice shelves form 11% of Antarctica. The lowest point is Bentley Subglacial Trench (-2,555 m) and the highest point is Vinson Massif (4,897 m).

 

CLIMATE:- Very low temperature reigns in the continent, which varies with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean. Eastern Antarctica is cooler than western Antarctica, for its higher elevation. Moderate climate can be seen in Antarctic Peninsula.

In winter, temperature ranges from −80 °C to −90 °C in the interior and in summer, it ranges from 5 °C and 15 °C.

 

GOVERNMENT:- The continent has no government. It is a politically neutral continent. Antarctic Treaty in 1959 was signed by 45 countries, including the Soviet Union, Russia, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United States. In the treaty, the continent was granted freedom of scientific investigation, and environmental protection. In this treaty it is clearly stated that any military activity or occupation by any country, is prohibited in the continent.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- There is no administrative division in the continent. The claimant nations claim their parts as follows:

United Kingdom British Antarctic Territory

New Zealand  Ross Dependency

France   Adélie Land

Norway  Peter I Island

Australia  Australian Antarctic Territory

Norway  Queen Maud Land

Chile   Antarctic Chilean Territory

Argentina  Argentine Antarctica

There is an unclaimed territory- Marie Byrd Land.

 

ECONOMY:- Antarctica is blessed with a number of natural resources- iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small non commercial quantities. But the resources are not explored properly. In 2000- 2001, Antarctic fisheries reportedly landed 112,934 tonnes. Expedition tourism started since 1957.

 

POPULATION:- Antarctica has no permanent inhabitants. Some permanent research centers do exist in the continent.

 

FLORA:- Mosses, liverworts are the main plants in the continent. Flora in the continent includes lichens, bryophytes, algae, and fungi. Antarctica’s chilling weather, poor sunlight, and a very thin and unfertile soil create an adverse condition for any plantation.

 

FAUNA:- Microscopic mites, lice, nematodes, tardigrades, rotifers, krill and springtails constitute mostly fauna world of Antarctica. Among sea creatures, penguins, blue whales, orcas and fur seals are prominent. Penguins are of five kinds- The emperor penguin, the Aadelie penguin, the rockhopper penguin, the chinstrap penguins, and the Gentoo Penguins. And seals can be divided into 3 types- the Weddell Seal, leopard seal, fur seal.

 

RESEARCH STATION:- Antarctica is mainly inhabited by the researchers of over 27 different countries around the world. More than 4000 scientists work on the surface of the continent on the research stations in the summer but the number decreases to 1000 in winter. Research on biology, geology, oceanography, physics, astronomy, glaciology, and meteorology are going on in several research stations. McMurdo research Station can accommodate over 1000 people at once. In Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, research on astrophysics is operated. The first zero-emissions polar science station in Antarctica- the Princess Elisabeth station, operates the research on the climatic change.

 

TRANSPORTATION:- Earlier dogs were used to carry things around. But this is banned now. Now transportation depends on new electric buggies.

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