Interesting facts about Antarctica
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Many nations have tried to lay claim to Antarctica over the years, It remains free of government and ownership. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was drafted, designating the land as "a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science." 48 nations have signed the treaty.
- Antarctica is the only continent without a time zone.
- Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth with the average temp -50° C
- Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth
- The South Pole is found in Antarctica.
- Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean.
- Antarctica is bigger than Europe and almost double the size of Australia.
- Most of Antarctica is covered in ice over 1.6 kilometres thick (1 mile).
- Because it experiences such little rain, Antarctica is considered a desert.
- The coldest recorded temperature on Earth occurred in 1983 at Vostok Station, Antarctica, measuring a rather chilly −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F).
- While humans don’t permanently reside in Antarctica, several thousand people live and work at various research facilities found on the continent.
- While Antarctica features harsh living conditions, a number of plants and animals have adapted to survive and call the icy continent home.
- Well known animals that live in Antarctica include penguins and seals.
- The name ‘Antarctica’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘opposite to the north’.
- Around 90% of the ice on Earth is found in Antarctica.
- Sea levels would rise around 60m (200ft) if all the ice in Antarctica were to melt.
- In Summer it is still light at midnight like the afternoon.