Antarctica: Land of Ice and Snow

Earth's southernmost continent, Antarctica, is a truly unique destination. The continent is almost completely covered in ice that is, on average, at least 1.6 kilometers thick. Antarctica is also home to the largest ice shelves in the world, including the Ross Ice Shelf which is around the size of France and the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf which is about the size of Spain.

Antarctica: Castle Rock & Mt. Erebus, Photo: elisfanclub on Flickr

Antarctica is the only continent that has never been home to an indigenous human population. Although it is 58 times the size of the UK, and 1.4 times the size of the US, it still only has a population of 1,000 in the winter. The population reaches a staggering 30,000 in the summer due to floods of tourists and Antarctica’s 4,000 scientific bases. Many travelers take the journey to Antarctica to discover its vast wilderness and experience the thrill of visiting a place unlike any other. Some travelers compare the trip to Antarctica to visiting the moon.

When traveling to Antarctica, the most popular tourist area is Anver Island Bay. This bay is home to the only two cruise ship stops on the continent: the US Palmer Station, and a museum at Port Lockroy. Another favourite for tourists is Cuverville Island. From rugged glaciers to endless deserts to enormous mountain ranges, Antarctica offers spectacular scenery. Antarctica is also home to a wide spectrum of wildlife including penguins, seals, whales, krill, and several kinds of birds. Some animals have adapted in such a way that they are able to create their own anti-freeze.

There is really no place on earth like Antarctica. Whether you’re a nature lover or an adventure travel enthusiast, this majestic destination should be on your bucket list!