Antarctica: at a Quick Glance

Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle ;South Pole Area: 14,000,000 sq km; 280,000 sq km ice-free, 13,720,000 sq km ice-covered Area: (about the size of Europe and the USA combined). Terrain- about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock. Coastline- about 31,900 km (ice included). CoastlineOccupies 10% of the world's surface; 90% of the world's ice, and 70% of its fresh water Elevation: Average- 1880m above sea level. Highest- Vinson Massif, 5,140m above sea level. Lowest-sea level(0m) Climate: Average temperatures- coastal areas -17���`-10��, inland areas down to -70��. Lowest ever recorded- -89.2�� at Vostok Station(1983.7.21). Precipitation (snow & frost)- rarely exceeds 50mm (less than the Sahara Desert) Population: no permanent or native residents; about 4000 people spend the summer for scientific Population: research, 1000 in winter, 40 all year around Government: none; The Antarctic Treaty(signed December 1, 1959, entered into force June 23,1961) Government: states the legal framework for the managing of Antarctica

Antarctica has many records. It's the fifth biggest continent, the largest body of ice and the highest continent on average. This is because mountains make up a significant part of the landmass. Believe it or not, it is the lowest continent on average as well. The weight of the ice pack is so heavy that it pushes the land underneath downwards. In many places the land is below sea level. It's also the windiest, coldest, and least populated continent, and is the largest desert, receiving less than 2 inches of precipitation a year. Finally, Antarctica is the largest body of fresh water. Ice caps make up seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world.