Antarctica

Antarctica is centred roughly around the South pole. It is roughly circular in shape and is surrounded by a continuous water body formed by the southern parts of the pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. This water body is also called the Antarctic Ocean or the Southern Ocean.

Roald Amundsen and Robert F Scott were two explorers who explored Antarctica.

Three points laid down in the Antarctic Treaty were:

1. The nations should pool their resources and information about Antarctica.
2. The continent shall be used only for peaceful purposes.
3. The testing of weapons is prohibited.

Antarctica is an extremely cold, dry and windy continent. The continental edges experience powerful winds which blow at a speed of about 160 kilometres per hour. These strong cold winds are called blizzards.
The summer in Antarctica is from November to February. During this time the sun never sets. The summer temperature remains below the freezing point.
The winter is from May to August. The sun never rises during these months. As the winter approaches, the sea around Antarctica freezes.
No rainfall occurs in Antarctica as the land surface remains frozen and the air remains dry. However, light snowfall occurs during winter, mainly in the coastal areas.

Four animals found in Antarctica are:

1. Penguins
2. Snow petrel
3. Albatross
4. Seal

Three minerals found in Antarctica are:

1. Iron
2. Copper
3. Uranium

Antarctica is called the 'Continent of Science' because it provides great scope for the scientific study of the earth's weather.

Antarctica was discovered in 1820.

The International Geophysical (1957-58) Year marked the beginning of the modern age of Antarctica exploration.

East Antarctica and West Antarctica are separated by the transantarctic Mountains.

The lowest temperature of the world was recorded in the Russian Vostok station.

Mosses and lichens are the vegetation found in Antarctica.

The entire continent of Antarctica is covered with a vast ice sheet. Due to this thick ice cover, Antarctica is called the White Continent.

Antarctica does not have a permanent population because of:

1. Remoteness from the rest of world.
2. Ice covering the land surface.
3. Severe cold and long months of little or no daylight.

The above factors discourage human settlement on the continent.

Antarctica is covered with ice.

False

Corrected Statement — The water body surrounding Antarctica is called the Antarctic ocean or the Southern ocean.

The Norwegian explorer who first reached the South Pole was Roald Amundsen.

Maitri is the name of India’s first manned research station in Antarctica

Vinson Massif is the highest point of Antarctica.

True

True

False

Corrected Statement — Antarctica experiences summer from November to February.

False

Corrected Statement — Penguins are found in Antarctica.

True