Index  Subject Index Countries/Places |
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Location
mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geography
terrain is about 98% thick ice sheet and 2% barren rock
1998, NASA found largest ozone hole over Antarctica (16 million sq. miles)
the lowest known land point hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench
Area
14 million sq. miles
Capital
none
Population
no native people living in Antarctica
permanent and summer-staff research stations
Government
Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959
establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica
46 treaty member nations
Money
none
Climate
coldest, driest and windiest place on earth
East Antarctica is colder that West Antarctica because of its higher elevation
Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate temperature
Languages
no native language
History
existence of a “southern land” confirmed early 1820’s
British, Americans and Russians began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region in 1840
decided Antarctica was a continent and not just a group of islands
Antarctica Treaty does not allow any activity of a military nature
Economy
fishing off the coast and tourism
Industry
none
Agriculture
none
Natural Resources
iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum, coal, hydrocarbons, krill, finfish, crab
Livestock
none
Plant Life
extreme weather and land conditions make it so only the hardiest plants can survive
150 lichens, 30 mosses, some fungi and 1 liverwort
more than 300 species of non-marine algae
Animals
Arctic tern, whales, fish, seals, whales, penguins |
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