Antarctica - Wikipedia Most of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, with an average thickness of 1 9 km (1 2 mi) Antarctica is, on average, the coldest, driest, and windiest of the continents, and has the highest average elevation It is mainly a polar desert, with annual precipitation of over 200 mm (8 in) along the coast and far less inland
Antarctica - National Geographic Society Antarctica is the only continent with no permanent human habitation There are, however, permanent human settlements, where scientists and support staff live for part of the year on a rotating basis
Antarctica - New World Encyclopedia Antarctica is Earth 's southernmost continent, overlying the South Pole Situated in the southern hemisphere and largely south of the Antarctic Circle, Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean
Frequently Asked Questions About Antarctica - NASA NASA uses satellites to study the ice on Antarctica and how the continent is changing Scientists want to know how changes in Earth’s climate are affecting Antarctica’s ice sheets
What Is Antarctica? A Desert, Country, Continent. . . ? Antarctica: A Definition Antarctica is the fifth-largest, highest-standing, and southernmost continent on Earth With an average elevation of 7,546 feet (2,300 meters) and dominating the southern polar region, some 98 percent of its landmass lies buried in ice, including the Geographic South Pole, the southernmost point on the planet
Antarctica Overview – Land Area, Climate Research Facts Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent, covering an area of 13 72 million square kilometers, making it the fifth-largest continent by land area Despite its massive size, Antarctica has no permanent population due to its harsh climate, icy terrain, and remote location
Antarctica - Royal Museums Greenwich Discover incredible facts about Antarctica, learn about past expeditions to the continent, and find out why it is the most inhospitable place on Earth