Antarctica Continent

Antarctica

Antarctica was recognized as a continent in 1840, but had very little foot traffic or inhabitants until the mid 20th century. After World War II, the continent began to see a spike in research centers and scientists looking to gain information on the cold tundra.

        Antarctica has no set population because there are no native inhabitants. The continent does, however, have a few thousand researchers who come seasonally to use research facilities on the continent (mainly in the summer months). Antarctica is governed through a treaty system known as the Antarctic Treaty System, which was signed in 1959 and is the framework for the country’s government. Because there are no native peoples who inhabit the continent, Antarctica is primarily focused on scientific studies rather than having a booming economy.

        Antarctica’s climate features dangerously low temperatures and frequent blizzards and high winds. Its terrain is about 98% ice sheet and 2% barren rock. Antarctic animals include penguins, whales, seals, albatrosses, sea birds, and krill (which is the basis of the Antarctic food web).

        Antarctica’s biggest worldly concern is that of global warming. In 1998 NASA satellites spotted a hole in the ozone that covered 27 million square kilometers- the largest on record. Research showed that excessive UV light exposure was causing harm to fish and marine plants in the ocean around the continent, as well as the realization that the hole in the ozone was causing ice to melt. The problem has only increased since 1998 and is still a very large problem- one that if we don’t get on top of soon, we might melt away the continent all together.