A pair of penguins standing on a rocky beach, staring at each other, with large chunks of ice in the background. The beaks and feet of the penguins are orange, while everything else in the photo is black, white, and gray.

Antarctica

Destinations

Antarctica Map

Fun Facts

Antarctica is the Earth’s southernmost continent and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Here are some fun facts about Antarctica:

Regions: Antarctica is generally geographically divided into five regions:  Antarctic Peninsula, East Antarctica, South Pole, West Antarctica, and the Ross Sea. To read more about those regions, head to my All About Regions In Antarctica blog.

Countries: There are no countries in Antarctica but there are seven countries who have made territorial claims in Antarctica (2022). 

Population: Antarctica has no indigenous inhabitants or permanent residents, but there are anywhere between 1000 and 5000 scientists (2022) who live there depending on the season. They live in research stations around the continent.

Research: There are approximately 18 countries who regularly send scientists and researchers to Antarctica. The largest research stations are held by USA, Russia, Chile, Argentina, and Australia.

Time: Theoretically, Antarctica would be divided up into all timezones. Additionally, since there is no real population of Antarctica, it’s not officially divided into time zones. Scientists working there will often just stick to the timezone of the country they departed from. 

Geography: Antartica has the highest overall elevation of all of the continents. It’s covered in an ice sheet formed by snow, at times 4km thick.  Underneath that ice, there are rivers, lakes, mountains and more. There are two active volcanoes on Antarctica, including Mount Erebus.

Antarctica

Overview

Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth and surrounds the South Pole. No place on Earth can compare to the otherworldliness of Antarctica’s vast white wilderness. With virtually no rain and over 95% of the continent covered in ice, it is also considered the world’s largest desert. 

There are no native Antarcticans and no permanent residents or citizens of Antarctica but between 1000 and 5000 scientists live there (in the estimated 66 scientific stations) throughout the year depending on the season. It is also estimated that approximately 45,000 tourists visit on expedition cruise ships at the height of summer (October – April). 

Antarctica has no immigration or border controls, but you will need permission from an Antarctic Treaty member country if you want to visit. Your cruise or tour organizer should take care of those arrangements. You can visit Antarctica by plane, ship and sailboat, with most visitors doing so via cruise expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula. 

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Ten Things About Antarctica

Antarctica, the southernmost and coldest continent on Earth, remains a mysterious and untouched land of ice and isolation. Despite its extreme conditions, this frozen wilderness has a unique allure, captivating the imagination of adventurers and scientists alike.

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All About Regions in Antarctica

Antarctica is a unique continent known for its extreme cold temperatures, vast ice sheets, and unique wildlife. It is geographically divided into five regions, each offering distinct features and experiences.

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