Antarctica, the world’s southernmost continent, is almost wholly covered by an ice sheet and is about 5.5 million square miles (14.2 million square km) in size. Researchers warn antarctica is undergoing abrupt changes that could trigger global consequences Melting ice, collapsing ice shelves, and disrupted ocean circulation threaten sea levels. Without any ice, antarctica would emerge as a giant peninsula and archipelago of mountainous islands, known as lesser antarctica, and a single large landmass about the size of australia, known as greater antarctica. Visit the definitions and notes page to view a description of each topic. It is almost completely covered in ice
Antarctica covers the earth’s south pole Antarctica is the coldest place on earth The average temperature in the winter is minus 34.4 celsius (minus 30 degrees fahrenheit). Despite its massive size, antarctica has no permanent population due to its harsh climate, icy terrain, and remote location. 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 200mm (8in) along the coast and far less inland.
General facts about antarctica, including geography, temperatures, and wildlife.
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