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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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Antarctica - The Antarctic Connection. - Antarctica maps, books, gifts, posters, and more also a source for news, weather and information from the frozen continent.
Meta Description: [ All things Antarctic! Travel info & booking, online retail shop (Antarctic Maps, Books, Videos, Gifts, Clothing). Antartica weather, history, and wildlife information. ]

Antarctica 2000 - Includes journals, sound clips, and photographs as well as other recordings of nature.

CIA World Factbook - Antarctica - Statistical information for the area.

Computerworld Antarctica - Company looking at computing in cold climates. Site includes Antarctic facts and figures and a description of the company's activities and products.
Meta Description: [ The latest PC technology, reviews, news, features and information for the home, small business users -- get the most out of technology ]

diva's Antarctica Journal - Photo Journal of diva and her husband camping overnight in antarctica. Pictures of Lemuire Channel, penguins. ask and get tips in the forum.

Gateway Antarctica - Pictures, guides, and historical society newsletter, from ICAIR at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Ukrainian Antarctic Station EM1U - Ukrainian Club Amateur Radio station from Vernadsky Research Station on Galindez island EM1U, Antarctica. Includes scientific finding and photo gallery of the base and the island.

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