Antarctica
⭐ MasteredAntarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent. It is covered in ice up to 4 km thick and has no countries; scientists visit to do research.
Penguins live in Antarctica but polar bears do not.
All about Antarctica
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth. It is covered by a thick ice sheet that is up to about 4 kilometres deep in places. The continent has no countries and no permanent population, but scientists visit to carry out research.
Antarctica sits around the South Pole and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Its wildlife includes penguins, seals and whales, which live in the sea. Temperatures can drop below minus 80°C in the middle of winter.
🎮 Try it yourself!
Loading…
Real-life uses of Antarctica
- Hosting research stations that study climate, space and biology
- Storing a record of past climates in ice cores
- Protecting wildlife through international treaties
Frequently asked questions about Antarctica
Who owns Antarctica?
No country owns it. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, sets it aside for peaceful scientific research.
Do people live in Antarctica?
Only scientists and support staff at research stations, who live there for weeks or months at a time.
Why is Antarctica called a desert?
It receives very little precipitation, so it is classed as a polar desert, even though it is covered in ice.