Forgotten world (55): Antarctica
Antarctica is 14.425 million km², making it the third-smallest continent after Europe and Australia. On average, it is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. Some 98% of it is covered in ice, there has never been an indigenous population and there are no permanent human residents.
Seven countries – Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom – claim parts of the territory of Antarctica. The Argentine, British and Chilean claims all overlap. Australia has the greatest claim of Antarctic territory. Russia and the United States have reserved the right to make future claims.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries. The treaty prohibits military activities and mineral mining, supports scientific research, and protects the continent’s ecozone. Ongoing experiments are conducted by more than 4,000 scientists of many nationalities and with different research interests.
My wife has a great ambition to visit Antarctica, so watch this space …
December 22nd, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Some friends of mine took a cruise to Antarctica this time last year and came back glowing reports, although they did confess that the 2 millionth penguin was less enchanting than the first!
If it’s Vee’s turn to choose a holiday next, maybe you had better invest in some thermal underwear, Roger!
December 23rd, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I’ve suggested to Vee that, if she wants to see penguins, we go to see the movie “Happy Feet” – but that didn’t seem to cut much ice!