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• Antarctica is an ice-locked landmass that surrounds the South Pole, and is the most desolate and remote place in the world. The continent has no government and belongs to no country.

  An article in the April 17, 2009, issue of the journal Science, researchers announced that they had discovered a colony of 1.5 million-year-old microbes beneath the Antarctic ice. The microbes were discovered in the Blood Falls, at the edge of Taylor Glacier. Scientists believe the microbes could serve as a model of how life could survive on icy planets.FOXNews.com: Million-Year-Old Microbe Colony Found Under Antarctic Ice

• Fast Facts

  1. No permanent residence
  2. No native populations
  3. 1.4 times bigger than the U.S.A.
  4. Ross Ice Shelf is the size of France
  5. Average winter temperature at the South Pole is -76 F
  6. Lowest temperature recorded was at Vostok Station at -128 F
  7. Windiest place on earth is at Mawson Station with average wind speeds of 23 mph and max gust of 145 mph
  8. Coldest, driest and windiest in the summer

• Explorers and Events

  Captain Cook was the first person to sail to Antarctica in 1773, yet he never set foot on it. There were many explorers from many countries that explored the continent, including Robert F. Scott who made an expedition to the South Pole, however when he got there Norwegian Roald Amundsen had already planted a flag. Several flew over parts of the continent but in 1929 Richard E. Byrd and three others become the first persons to fly completely over the South Pole. In 1947 under the direction of the U.S. Navy, "Operation Highjump" was organized, which included 4,700 men, 13 ships and 23 aircraft. Their main goal was mapping and taking over 70,000 aerial photographs of the continent.

• Saving the Continent

  In 1959, twelve leading nations signed what is known as the Antarctica Treaty, Which declares the continent "shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes", the treaty came into effect in 1961. No nation can test weapons or set up military maneuvers, but may use military personnel and equipment for scientific peaceful purposes.

• Geology

  The sun never rises in the winter and never sets during the summer. With it being at a high altitude the sunlight is intense, and with the snow reflection, sunglasses with UV blocking is required to prevent eye damage. Billions of tons of ice break off each summer from the cliff like shelves. During the short summer months there is approx. 4,000 personal stationed at scientific bases and only 1,000 in winter. Summer tourist average about 25,000.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Antarctic Sea Ice | Antarctic Desert | Britain Antarctica Claim | Penguins | Climate Change | Seals | Whales | Emperor Penguin | Waitaha Penguin | Southern Ocean | Orcas | Weddell Seal | Leopard Seal

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