Antarctica (1756 World)



Antarctica is Earth's southernmost continent, encapsulating the South Pole. It is situated in the Antarctic region of the southern hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by theSouthern Ocean. At 14.0 million km2 (5.4 million sq mi), it is the fifth-largest continent in area after. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice, which averages at least 1.6 kilometres (1.0 mi) in thickness.

Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents.[2] Antarctica is considered a desert, with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and far less inland.[3] There are few permanent human residents, abd anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at the research stations scattered across the continent. Only cold-adapted plants and animals survive there, including penguins, seals, nematodes, tardigrades,mites, many types of algae and other microorganisms, and tundra vegetation.

Antarctic Commission
In 1920, an Antarctic Commission was set up in order to divide the Antarctic continent. Germany, France, Britain, Chile, Argentina and Australia all got parts of it.

Regions
Antarctica has several regions belonging to different nations.

German Antarctica
Germany has 2 territories in Antarctica: New Swabia (the larger), which it claimed in 1926 and New Brandenburg, which it claimed in 1929. Germany has a nuclear test site in New Swabia. at least 200 people work year-round in this top secret site.

French Antarctica
French Antarctica

Chilean Antarctica
The Chilean territory of Nuevo Chile is the largest in Antarctica

Argentinian Antarctica
Belgrano

British Antarctican Territory
British Antarctican Territory

Australian Antarctica
Australian Antarctica