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Antarctica
Area 14,000,000 km² (280,000 km² ice-free, 13,720,000 km² ice-covered)
Population ~1000 (none permanent)
Government governed by the Antarctic Treaty System
Partial Territorial claims





Internet TLD .aq
Calling Code +672
Antarctica is the southernmost continent and encompasses the South Pole. Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean and divided by the Transantarctic Mountains. On average, it is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. At 14 million km², Antarctica is the third-smallest continent after Europe and Oceania and 98% of it is covered in ice. Because there is little precipitation, except at the coasts, the interior of the continent is technically the largest desert in the world. There are no permanent human residents and Antarctica has never had an indigenous population. Only cold-adapted plants and animals survive there, including penguins, fur seals, mosses, lichens, and many types of algae. The name "Antarctica" comes from the Greek ανταρκτικός (antarktikos), meaning "opposite the Arctic." | year=1940 | url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=%239514 | accessdate=12 February | accessyear=2006}}

Although myths and speculation about a Terra Australis ("Southern Land") date back to antiquity, the first confirmed sighting of the continent is commonly accepted to have occurred in 1820 by the Russian expedition of Mikhail Lazarev and Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. However, the continent remained largely neglected for the rest of the 19th century because of its hostile environment, lack of resources, and isolated location.

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RT @newzealandbirds: Antarctic Commission urged to control #krill fishery http://bit.ly/2HWTAp
tetoroa (Gabriella Turek) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:42:24 -0000
RT @newzealandbirds: Antarctic Commission urged to control #krill fishery http://bit.ly/2HWTAp
RT @newzealandbirds Antarctic Commission urged to control #krill fishery http://bit.ly/2HWTAp
Aussiebirder (Ricki Coughlan) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:25:30 -0000
RT @newzealandbirds Antarctic Commission urged to control #krill fishery http://bit.ly/2HWTAp
RT @benpetersjones: Paul Kelly live from an Antarctic blizzard. #Insiders @TimCarroll_ http://twitpic.com/oo9q8
TimCarroll_ (Tim Carroll) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:03:00 -0000
RT @benpetersjones: Paul Kelly live from an Antarctic blizzard. #Insiders @TimCarroll_ http://twitpic.com/oo9q8
Scariest thing I've seen today. RT @benpetersjones: Paul Kelly live from Antarctic blizzard. #Insiders @TimCarroll_ http://twitpic.com/oo9q8
annetreasure (Anne Treasure) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:46:14 -0000
Scariest thing I've seen today. RT @benpetersjones: Paul Kelly live from Antarctic blizzard. #Insiders @TimCarroll_ http://twitpic.com/oo9q8
Paul Kelly live from an Antarctic blizzard. #Insiders @TimCarroll_ http://twitpic.com/oo9q8
benpetersjones (Ben Peters Jones) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:45:23 -0000
Paul Kelly live from an Antarctic blizzard. #Insiders @TimCarroll_ http://twitpic.com/oo9q8
RT @oli2be Ice Loss in Antarctic Peninsula Unprecedented in 14,000 Years http://tinyurl.com/ykmwmkv (via @tfsalomon @RayBeckerman ) #Green
sustainablehero (Sustainable Energy ) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:15:24 -0000
RT @oli2be Ice Loss in Antarctic Peninsula Unprecedented in 14,000 Years http://tinyurl.com/ykmwmkv (via @tfsalomon @RayBeckerman ) #Green

 
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66 Degrees South - Contains tourist info, pictures, wildlife, history, politics and personal account of the Antarctic.
Meta Description: [ Tourist information on the Antarctic peninsula and Ushuaia. Contains photos and information on the region, cruise companies, accommodation and general information. ]

404 Antarctic Information for School Children - Information pack for school children published by the British Antarctic Survey.

Antarctic Protected Areas - Provides access to information on areas given formal status of special protection. Includes protected areas, management plans, descriptions, location maps, site maps, photographs, and international agreements.

Australian Antarctic Division - Agency responsible for the country's Antarctic research, as well as administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the subantarctic Territory of Heard and McDonald Islands. Includes news, research data, and educational materials.

Diary Antarctica - South Pole journey report.

Islands of the Antarctic - A list of the dozens of islands in the Antarctic region. Includes brief features and facts on the larger islands.

The Antarctic Circle - Compilation of Antarctic related articles. Includes information concerning the birthplaces and final resting places of Antarctic personalities as well as monuments and dedications.

The Peri-Antarctic Islands - Lists and describes these islands.

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