Antarctica

Discovery Antarctica is the most recently discovered continent. The first documented landing on Antarctica was by an English navigator, Sir Francis Drake in the late 1500s. “Drake Passage”

Discovery – Other Firsts First to reach the South Pole – Roald Amundson (December 14, 1911) First to attempt a Trans-Antarctic crossing – Ernest Shackleton First to fly over the South Pole in an airplane – Richard Byrd Credited with discovering Mount Erebus – James C. Ross.

Who Claims Antarctica? 7 nations have made claims to land in Antarctica: Argentina Australia Great Britain Chile France New Zealand Norway

The United States and Antarctica The United States makes no claims of its own, but has reserved the right to make claims in the future. Russia has also reserved this right.

Climate Most of Antarctica lies in the climate known as Ice Cap. Some of the climate could be considered Tundra.

Climate The lowest recorded temperature in Antarctica is -129°F. The ice can be up to 2 miles thick in some areas. Antarctica is a frozen desert with very little precipitation.

Population There is no permanent human population on the continent. Scientists do study there for a few months at a time.

Plant Life The extreme weather does not support much vegetation. The only vegetation that grows are called lichens Lichens are mosses that grow on trees or rocks.

The waters of Antarctica support various marine animals. Animal Life The waters of Antarctica support various marine animals.

Krill: shrimp-like sea animals that live in cold, Antarctic waters. Animal Life Krill: shrimp-like sea animals that live in cold, Antarctic waters.

Protecting the Animals Sealers and whalers contributed largely to the early exploration of Antarctica. Many laws now protect the seals and whales of the area.

Natural Resources Valuable deposits of gold, oil, lead, zinc, silver, and copper exist and could exist in large quantities. Many countries want to open the continent up to mining. In 1991, a treaty was signed to ban mining for 50 years. The idea will be revisited in 2041.