The Earth’s Fifth Largest Continent - Antarctica

The Earth’s fifth largest continent, Antarctica, is a stunningly beautiful place with wonderful landscapes and seascapes unlike any other. It covers Earth’s South Pole.
What Is Antarctica Like? Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. 1. .... The temperature in the middle of Antarctica is much colder than the temperature on the coasts. Antarctica has two seasons: summer and winter. During summer, it is always sunny (but not warm.) In winter, Antarctica is on the side of Earth that is away from the sun. 2. .... Antarctica is a desert. It does not rain or snow a lot there. When it snows, the snow does not melt and builds up over many years to make large, thick sheets of ice, called ice sheets. Antarctica is made up of lots of ice in the form of glaciers, ice shelves and icebergs. 3. .... The only plants that can live in a place that cold are moss and algae.
Who Lives in Antarctica?
Antarctica is too cold for people to live there for a long time. 4. .... Tourists visit Antarctica in the summer. The oceans around Antarctica are home to many types of whales. Antarctica is also home to seals and penguins.
Interesting Facts
• Ice and snow cover about 98% of Antarctica.
• The average thickness of ice and snow over the Antarctic continent is about 2,200 metres deep.
• Antarctica’s icecap makes up about 70% of the world’s fresh water.
• If the icecaps were melted, ocean levels would rise to such an extent that the coastal cities around the world would all flood.
• In winter there are weeks or months of complete darkness depending on how far south you are.
• In summer there is continuous daylight, 24 hours a day!
• Antarctica has an active volcano called Mount Erebus.
• The first known person to set foot on Antarctica was an American seal hunter, John Davis, in 1821.