Antarctica

Antarctica is the continent at the very bottom of the world, surrounding the South Pole. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth. No country owns Antarctica and no one lives there permanently. Only scientists work at research stations.

Land and People

No one lives in Antarctica permanently. About 1,000 to 5,000 scientists stay there depending on the season. Antarctica is almost completely covered in ice that can be over 2 miles thick. It holds about 70 percent of the world's fresh water as ice.

Very old map showing the South Pole and nearby seas.
Very old map showing the South Pole and nearby seas. (Jan Janssonius / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

Penguins, seals, and whales live around Antarctica. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was minus 128.6 degrees Fahrenheit there. In winter, Antarctica doubles in size because the sea freezes around it. Scientists from many countries work together peacefully.

Fun Facts

  • Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth with temperatures dropping below minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • About 70 percent of all the fresh water on Earth is frozen in Antarctica's ice.
  • Antarctica has no permanent residents, only visiting scientists.

Did You Know?

If all the ice in Antarctica melted, sea levels around the world would rise by about 200 feet. That would flood most coastal cities. Antarctica's ice sheet is the largest single piece of ice on Earth and has been frozen for millions of years.