Antarctica

Monday, April 27, 2009

Here are some facts about Antarctica:

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent, is asymmetrically centered on the South Pole and almost entirely within the Antarctic Circle. Antarctica consists of two major regions: W Antarctica, a mountainous archipelago that includes the Antarctic Peninsula, and E Antarctica geologically a continental shield. They are joined into a single continental mass by an ice sheet thousands of feet thick. At the seaward margins of the ice sheet masses of ice break off and float away as icebergs, leaving ice cliffs. 

Less than 5% of Antarctica is free of ice; these areas include mountain peaks, arid dry valleys, small coastal areas, and islands. There is no native human population in Antarctica, nor are there any large land animals. Few species are adapted to the Antarctic environment, as it is very cold, very dry and very wind. Certain species of penguins, whales, seals, sea lions, walruses, krill and birds are found in Antarctica.