What do you know about this icy continent at the bottom of the Earth? It’s a place of mystery for many, undoubtedly the most untouched continent on our planet.
For most people, Antarctica is the icy land of penguins, glaciers, and miles upon miles of snow. While this is definitely true, that’s not the full story. The fifth-largest continent is a trove of natural attractions and interesting facts.
Here are 17 fun facts about Antarctica that you can share with other geography nerds.
1. It Has 70% of the World’s Fresh Water
More than 70% percent of the earth is water, and about 70% of the earth’s freshwater is found in Antarctica. If it doesn’t seem like it, that’s because most of the water in Antarctica is primarily ice.
2. Desert Status
Although it’s majorly comprised of ice, Antarctica is identified as the world’s largest desert. It receives very little rain, with an average annual precipitation of about 2 inches (50 mm), and mostly snow. The Antarctica air is very dry.
3. Thick Ice
So, we know that there’s ice in Antarctica, but exactly how much ice is there? The ice sheet covering Antarctica sometimes gets as thick as 3 kilometers thick.
4. No Native Population
Antarctica has no permanent residents or native population. The people who live and work there are scientists and support staff from various countries, and they stay for temporary periods.
5. No Time Zone
Antarctica has no official time zone. Instead, research stations often use the time zone of the country that operates the station. This can result in some unusual timekeeping, especially around the South Pole.
6. Unique Wildlife
Despite its harsh conditions, Antarctica is home to various species of wildlife, including penguins, seals, and krill. The Weddell Seal is known for its ability to survive in extreme cold.
7. First Woman in Antarctica
In 1969, Liv Arnesen from Norway became the first woman to set foot in Antarctica. She was part of an expedition led by the British Antarctic Survey.
8. Dry Valleys
Antarctica has a region known as the Dry Valleys, where extremely low humidity prevents snow or ice accumulation. Some parts of these valleys haven’t seen rain for nearly two million years. The environment in the dry valleys is considered to be the closest to the environment on Mars.
9. Southern Lights
Like the Northern Lights, Antarctica experiences its own version of the aurora borealis, known as the aurora australis or the Southern Lights. These colorful displays are caused by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth’s magnetic field.
10. Penguin Capital
Perhaps the most well-known fun fact is that Antarctica is home to several species of penguins, including Adélie. The Adélie penguin is one of the most common and can be found all around the continent.
11. Ice Marathon
Fancy running in sub-zero temperatures over ice with penguins cheering you on? Sign up for the Antarctic Ice Marathon. This is an annual event held near the Ellsworth Mountains. It is the southernmost marathon on Earth and is run on snow and ice.
12. Record Cold
Just how cold can the Earth get? The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was at Antarctica’s high ridge. On July 21, 1983, the Soviet Union’s Vostok Station recorded temperatures as low as -128.6°F (-89.2°C).
13. Underground Lake
Lake Vostok, buried beneath the ice sheet, is one of the largest subglacial lakes in Antarctica. While there are no fish for you to catch in this lake, scientists have found microorganisms that suggest there’s more going on deep in the lake.
14. Jamaica-sized Iceberg
How big can an iceberg be? According to earth.com, in 2000, one of the largest icebergs ever recorded, B-15, broke away from the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. It was roughly the size of Jamaica (over 10,000 square kilometers).
15. It’s Preserved for a Scientific Research
You cannot carry out military activity, mineral mining, and nuclear testing in Antarctica. It’s designated as a scientific preserve and promotes international cooperation in scientific research.
16. Antarctica Birthdays
Since no one lives permanently on the continent, giving birth there is very uncommon. Yet, at least 11 people have been born in Antarctica.
17. 0 Percent Mortality Rate
Since all of the children born in Antarctica survived, Antarctica is considered the continent with the lowest mortality rate at 0 infant deaths annually. That’s one way to do it.
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
