Amazing Facts About Antarctica

Image: Unsplash

1 August 2024

Antarctica is perhaps one of the most fascinating locations on Earth, hidden away from the outside world at the planet's southernmost tip

Image: Unsplash

Here are some facts about the continent

Image: Unsplash

Antarctica is the windiest continent. In some places, winds reach 200 metres per hour

Image: Unsplash

It is also the driest continent on the planet. The conditions in the Dry Valleys region, which hasn't seen rain in thousands of years, are similar to those on Mars

Image: Unsplash

The continent was found in 1820 by the Russian expedition led by Mikhail Lazarev and Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, which was relatively late in human history

Image: Unsplash

There are less than 140 permanent residents in Antarctica. Most of them include scientists and researchers

Image: Unsplash

No one country "owns" Antarctica. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, which suspends all territorial claims

Image: Unsplash

It has an abundant wildlife population. Penguins, blue whales, killer whales and leopard seals, are among the region's marine life 

Image: Unsplash

98% of the continent is covered by the Antarctic Ice Sheet. 70% of the freshwater on Earth's surface and 90% of the world's ice are frozen in Antarctica

Image: Unsplash

Check More Stories

Image: Unsplash

ndtv.com