Antarctica
12 questions tagged Antarctica — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Where is the windiest place on Earth?
Commonwealth Bay in Antarctica is often called the windiest place on Earth, with katabatic winds that average around 80 km/h and regularly exceed 240 km/h.
Where is Antarctica and who owns it?
Antarctica is the frozen continent at the South Pole. No country owns it — it is governed by an international treaty for peace and science.
Which is the largest desert on Earth?
Antarctica is the largest desert on Earth. Deserts are defined by low precipitation, not heat, and Antarctica is extremely dry.
Where is the coldest place on Earth?
The coldest recorded natural temperatures on Earth occur on the high plateau of East Antarctica, where satellites have measured surface temperatures as low as around -98 degrees Celsius.
Whose Expedition First Reached the South Pole?
Roald Amundsen's Norwegian expedition was the first to reach the South Pole, on December 14, 1911.
Why is Antarctica considered a desert?
A desert is defined by very low precipitation, not heat. Antarctica receives so little snow each year that it is the world's largest desert.
Where do penguins live?
Almost all penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere, from Antarctica to the coasts of South America, southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
When was the first ascent of Mount Vinson completed?
Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest peak, was first climbed in December 1966.
When was the first official snowfall measurement taken in Antarctica?
Early Antarctic expedition records from the early 20th century include some of the first systematic snowfall observations, especially during the Scott and Shackleton expeditions.
Where is the world's largest known continuous ice shelf?
The largest ice shelf is the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It is larger than France and many other countries, covering around 480,000 square kilometers.
Where is the Ross Sea located?
The Ross Sea is in the Southern Ocean off Antarctica, south of New Zealand. It is one of the least altered marine ecosystems on Earth.
Where do emperor penguins breed in Antarctica?
Emperor penguins breed on the sea ice around Antarctica, with colonies spread around the continent’s coastline. They are the only penguin species that breeds during the Antarctic winter.