Polar Caps

Region

South of 60° latitude.

Area

13,661,000 km² (5,274,126 sq miles).

Geography

Antarctica is the largest remaining wilderness on Earth and is still relatively untouched by human impact. It covers an area of 13.7 million km² (5.3 million sq miles) around the South Pole and is covered with an ice sheet 4km (2.5 miles) deep. It has no permanent human population other than a small number of personnel at over 60 research stations run by 30 different nations.

Time

Strictly speaking, Antarctica operates on GMT + 0 time, but bases and stations in Antarctica tend to keep the time of their home territory.

Recent History

The main human activity undertaken in Antarctica is scientific research, and it was at the British Halley research station that the hole in the ozone layer was discovered in 1985. The constitutional position of Antarctica is governed by the terms of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 (which came into effect in 1961), which was signed initially by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, the UK, Belgium, Japan, South Africa, the USA and Russia. The first seven of these countries have historic claims to the ice-bound continent (none of which were - or are - generally recognised) and the Treaty preserves the status quo, neither recognising nor repudiating the old claims, but forbidding their expansion in any way.

The terms of the Treaty also forbid, absolutely, the assertion of new claims. The Treaty applies to all land and ice shelves below 60° south. The discovery in 1985 by the British Antarctic Survey of a 'hole' in the ozone layer of the Earth's atmosphere did more than perhaps any other event, bar nuclear accidents, to bring ecology to prominence in the international political agenda. The Antarctic Treaty made no provision for mineral exploitation and in November 1988, an Antarctic Minerals Convention was carefully instigated. This was intended to regulate but not directly prevent the extraction of minerals, and caused much protest from environmental lobbyists.

Several nations, led by Australia and France, declined to ratify the Convention. Ten years later, an agreement was reached which placed an indefinite ban on mining, further limiting economic development and exploitation. It is due to be reviewed in 2048. As a result, in 1991, the Antarctic Treaty nations agreed to add the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty, which bans mining and provides for a fully comprehensive regime of environmental protection. The Protocol entered into force in 1998 after ratification by each of the 26 Antarctic Treaty nations.

In May 1994, the International Whaling Commission agreed to the creation of a whale sanctuary around Antarctica below 40° south. In May 1997, it was suggested by the World Meteorological Organization that the long-term outlook for the ozone layer over the Antarctic was improving. It will take some years for this to be conclusively proved, however. Even depending on a significant reduction of CFCs and other harmful emissions, it is unlikely that the hole will repair itself permanently (if, indeed, it does at all) before 2060 at the earliest.

Scientists from many nations collaborate on research projects in Antarctica. Every summer about 5,000 of them travel to the continent to obtain vital information on the Earth's ecosystem. Antarctica's ice and sediment cores provide insights into how the world's climatic system functioned in the past. Studies of the Antarctic ice sheet help predict future sea levels, knowledge of which is crucial to our future given that 50% of the world's population lives in coastal areas. Information on the break up of continents and the interaction between the Sun's wind and the outer limits of the Earth's atmosphere can also be gained from studies here. Studies in Antarctica have hinted at the possibility of life in space. More than 70 lakes lie far beneath the continent and there is evidence that the waters of one of them, Lake Vostok, contain microbial life. The lake shares a number of similarities with Europa (Jupiter's moon), breathing life into the argument that there could be life on Europa. Further experiments, embarked on in early 2008, could back up this line of thinking.

Things to Do

The Last Marathon - The hard-core among you can endure. The Last Marathon on King George Island and run in sub-zero conditions.

Cruise - Take a cruise/ferry around some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Most trips depart from Ushuaia (in Argentina) or Punta Arenas (in Chile), and the passage from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula takes approximately two days.

Kayaking - Kayak up to icebergs for even closer views and, weather permitting, you may even be able to camp on the ice.

Deception Island - Take a dip in the thermal waters on Deception Island. The island you see today was formed by a volcanic eruption, which caused its peak to explode and left a huge caldera (crater) inside the island.

Things to See

Wildlife - Take advantage of some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Elephant and Weddell seals, emperor, chinstrap and Adelié penguins and humpback and minke whales are just a few of the regulars spotted in Antarctica.

Port Lockroy Museum - Impress your friends by sending them a postcard from the only post office in Antarctica, at Port Lockroy, which used to be a British station and is now a museum to early Antarctic exploration. It is one of Antarctica's most popular attractions, designated as Historic Site number 61 under the Antarctic Treaty.

Antarctic History - Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers such as Captain RF Scott, Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton and visit historic sites dotted throughout Antarctica.

Observation Hill - Climb Observation Hill, 30 minutes' ascent from nearby McMurdo station, which awards intrepid travelers with magnificent views of Mount Erebus and the Ross Ice Shelf, plus the 'Royal Societies' range across the ice; you will also find here the Memorial Cross erected in honor of Captain RF Scott and his polar party.

Starry Skies - Gaze up at the cosmos and delight in an exceptionally clear night full of stars.

Travel Advice

Travelers should be aware of the risks posed by the harsh climatic conditions. Most visits to Antarctica are trouble-free.