Interesting Facts about Antarctica

Antarctica is actually the largest desert in the world. 

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, highest and driest continent on Earth.

It’s also the coldest place on Earth. Temperatures can drop below -133°F (-93.2°C) on a high ridge

The highest temperature on the over hand is only 58.2°F (14.5°C).

However, it used to be as warm as California. 

It also was once covered in green grass and green forests and inhabited by dinosaurs, during one of Earth‘s warmest cycles

Some part haven’t seen rain or snow for over 2 million years

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent.

In terms of size its massive – its 1.5 size of the US

Its also about 1.3 times bigger than the whole of Europe

The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica is twice the size of Europe – but that has actually been shrinking in recent years

Its also the only continent without a time zone

The ice on average is about 1 mile thick (1.6km) – as a runner I can tell you that’s some distance.

And the ice sheet has been in existence for at least 40 million years

The ice sheet is also largest single ice sheet on Earth

When we think of the Antarctic we think of Husky dogs plugging sledges, ut they have in fact been banned since 1994. If I was going to travel across it, I would prefer a skimobile to be fair. They seem much more fun.

90% of the world’s freshwater is in Antarctica 

A small shift in gravity n the region was caused by ice melting

Unless your wisdom teeth and appendix have been removed you can not work in Anatrctica (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/artsandculture/6103788/Werner-Herzogs-Antarctica.html)

The continent also has at least 7 Christian churches

Dont worry about not getting a date – A scientist got a date using the tinder app, apparently the girl was camping just 45 minutes away. Also good to know you can get internet service on your phone, which is better than where I live

Chile has a little town on Antarctica. It consists of  school, hospital, hostel, post office, Internet, TV and mobile phone coverage. Wouldn’t want to have that round as post man.

It even has 1 ATM

There is roughly 300 lakes below the ice sheet – which dont freeze becaus the earth core keeps them warm.

The largest territory, 5.8 million sq km (2.2 million sq mi) is claimed by Australia (what they going to do with all that snow)

38 countries signed a treaty, that prohibits military activities, mineral mining, nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal in Antarctica – what about the other 150+ countries.

The first baby to be born in Antarctica was a boy in 1977. Argentina sent a pregnant woman to give birth to help its claim for a portion. The boy was called Emilio Palma 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_Palma

Argentia actually claims 965,597 km2 (372,819 sq mi) in Antarctica, where it has the world’s oldest continuous state presence, since 1904

Winds in some places can reach as high as 200 mph (320 km/h).

In 2000 the largest known iceberg broke away from Antarctica – it measured 11,000 sq km (4,200 sq mi) – which is bigger than Jamaica.

The southernmost active volcano on Earth is in Antarctica. It spews crystals and is very close to the U.S. Research Center.

90% of all meteorites ever found have come from Antarctica

Antarctica comes from the Greek word “antarktike,” which literally means “opposite to the north.” 

John George Bartholomew, a Scottish cartographer is thought to be first person to use the term Antarctica

Captain Thaddeus Bellingshausen a Russian naval officer was the first person to spot what we now know as Antarctica on Jan 27th 1820

Roald Amundsen Becomes First Man to Reach South Pole. On Dec. 14, 1911

No sitting U.S. president has visited Antarctica.

Every year, a half marathon, marathon and a 100K run take place in Antarctica despite an average windchill temperature of -20°C. There is a race which is 7 marathon in 7 days on 7 continents, which i would like to do one day (if I can convince the wife)

The highest point on Antarctica is the Vinson Massif at 16,362 feet (4,987 meters).

Antarctica’s Gamburtsev Mountains are a range of steep peaks that rise to 9,000 feet (3,000 meters) and stretch 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) across the interior of the continent — and are completely buried under up to 15,750 feet (4,800 m) ice.

There are Victoria’s Secret models from every continent except Antarctica – come on Victoria Secret sort this out.

There is a waterfall in Antarctica that runs red as blood.