Antarctica is a characteristic of the continent. Antarctica Who owns Antarctica

Antarctica is a continent located in the very south of the Earth; the center of Antarctica approximately coincides with the southern geographic pole. The continent of Antarctica is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, sometimes unofficially separated into a separate Southern Ocean.

Where is Antarctica

In the southernmost part of our planet there is a huge continent covered with eternal ice. Antarctica in the south is not only the coldest, but also the most deserted continent. It is washed by the waters of 13 seas.

1820 is the year of the discovery of Antarctica. It was then that Russian navigators F.F. Bellingshausen and M.P. Lazarev discovered it during a round-the-world Antarctic expedition. The researchers gave the discovered land the definition of “ice continent” and compiled the first description of the continent.

Rice. 1. Antarctica

The area of ​​Antarctica is about 14,107,000 square meters. km (of which ice shelves - 930,000 sq. km, islands - 75,500 sq. km). Moreover, the average surface height of Antarctica is the highest of all continents.

In addition, Antarctica is characterized by the following features:

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• lowest relative humidity;
• the strongest sustained wind;
• the most intense solar radiation.

Antarctica is an independent territory and does not belong to any state. At the same time, on its lands you can find many research stations from different countries of the world.

Relief

Antarctica is the highest continent on Earth; the average height of the continent's surface above sea level is more than 2000 m, and in the center of the continent it reaches 4000 meters. The highest point of the continent is 4892 m above sea level - the Vinson Massif in the Ellsworth Mountains.

Vast areas of Antarctica are occupied by a permanent ice sheet, at the base of which there is continental relief, and only 0.3% (about 40 thousand sq. km.) of its area is free from ice.

The Transantarctic Mountains, crossing almost the entire continent, divide Antarctica into two parts, having different origins and geological structures:

• West Antarctica. It consists of a group of mountainous islands connected by ice.
• East Antarctica. In the east there is a high (ice thickness is 4100 m above sea level) ice-covered plateau.

In West Antarctica there is also the deepest depression of the continent - the Bentley Deep, the depth of which is 2555 m below sea level.

Climate

Antarctica has an extremely harsh cold climate. The area is considered the Earth's pole of cold. It should be noted that the winter months in Antarctica (as throughout the southern hemisphere) are June, July and August, and the summer months are December, January and February.

In East Antarctica, at the Soviet Antarctic station "Vostok" on July 21, 1983, the lowest air temperature on Earth in the entire history of meteorological measurements was recorded: 89.2 degrees below zero.

Another feature of East Antarctica's meteorology is the katabatic winds caused by its dome-shaped topography. Due to the large amount of icy dust carried by the wind, horizontal visibility in such winds is very low.

Rice. 2. Strong katabatic winds

It is not surprising that due to such harsh climatic conditions there is no permanent population in Antarctica. Research stations operate here throughout the year. In winter, about 1,000 people are employed on the continent; in summer, their number increases to 4,000 people. Recently, tourism has become increasingly popular.

Live nature

Plants and animals are most common in the coastal zone. Terrestrial vegetation in ice-free areas exists mainly in the form of various types of mosses and lichens.

Antarctic animals are completely dependent on the coastal ecosystem of the Southern Ocean: due to the paucity of vegetation, all food chains of any significance in coastal ecosystems begin in the waters surrounding Antarctica. Antarctic waters are especially rich in zooplankton - the main food source for many species of fish, squid, seals, penguins, and cetaceans.

Rice. 3. Penguins

The main topic of concern to scientists around the world is global warming. As a result of rising temperatures and melting glaciers, tundra began to actively form on the Antarctic Peninsula. Scientists predict that in 100 years the first trees may appear in Antarctica.

What have we learned?

From the 7th grade geography course, we learned what area Antarctica occupies, where it is located, as well as what features of climate and nature it is characterized by. The continent, located in the very south of the Earth, is the coldest. On its endless icy deserts, sparse vegetation can only occasionally be found, and animals live only in the coastal zone.

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Antarctica is considered the coldest continent on our planet. Antarctica is also called the part of the world that includes the mainland itself and the adjacent islands. In this article we will consider Antarctica as a continent. This continent was discovered by a Russian expedition in January 1820. The continent is located in the very south of the planet. Translated from Greek, Antarctica means “opposite the Arctic” or “opposite the north.” Approximately the center of the continent is located at the location of the Earth's south pole. The continent is washed by the southern part of the waters of three oceans: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean; since 2000, this area of ​​water has become known as the Southern Ocean. The Southern Ocean is characterized by strong winds and storms.

The area of ​​this continent is approximately 14.107 million km2. In terms of its average height (2040 m), Antarctica ranks first among the continents. The only thing that should be taken into account is that this height is achieved thanks to glaciers, while the land of this continent is located much lower than this figure. Therefore, the first place in terms of land height is given to the Eurasian continent. And in the central part, the ice cover can reach more than 4,000 meters in height. If we compare the amount of ice on Antarctica with the ice reserves on the entire planet, then Antarctica contains 90% of all the planet's ice reserves. Also, 80% of the total fresh water on the planet is stored in these Ice. If all the continent's glaciers melt, this will lead to an increase in water levels in all oceans by 60 meters, and Antarctica itself will become an archipelago (a collection of islands).

Relief of Antarctica

The structure of the continent of Antarctica resembles a dome. Along the coast, the height of the mainland reaches about 2000 m above sea level, and in the central part it can reach more than 4000 m above sea level. Therefore, it turns out to be a kind of dome.

Most of the continent is covered with permanent glacial cover and only 0.3% of its territory rises above the ice, which is approximately 40,000 m2. These areas include islands, coastal areas and mountain peaks. On the territory of the continent there are the Transantarctic Mountains, which almost completely cross the entire continent and, thus, divide it into two different parts, which are called the eastern and western parts.

In the east of Antarctica there is a plateau that is covered with glaciers and the level of glaciers here reaches the highest heights - more than 4000 meters above sea level. The western part of the mainland consists mostly of mountainous islands. In Antarctica, the highest point above sea level is the Vinson Massif (4892 m), and the lowest point below sea level is the Bentley Deep (2555 m below sea level), which is covered by ice.

Vinson Massif

Thanks to the research, scientists were able to find out that Antarctica is 1/3 submerged under water, where mountain ranges and massifs can be distinguished.

While studying the subglacial cover of the continent, scientists were able to discover a huge crater with a diameter of 482 km. It is believed that the asteroid that left this crater was 48 km in diameter and that it fell to Earth about 250 million years ago, that is, it became the culprit of the permafrost and the cause of the death of most of the flora and fauna of that period. Today it is the largest crater on planet Earth.

Climate of Antarctica

The continent of Antarctica is characterized by a harsh cold climate. It was here that the lowest temperature in history was recorded - 89.2 degrees below zero in 1983. Weather conditions in the center of the continent and on its outskirts are very different. If in the center of the continent of Antarctica there can be no wind and the Sun shines brightly in the blue sky, then the coast of the continent can be covered with storms. The wind here can rise to 90 m/s, sweeping away everything in its path. Waves can reach 20 meters in height.

The weather on the continent also changes as the seasons change. The winter months here are June, July and August. During these months, temperatures can drop from -60 to -75 degrees Celsius below zero in the central part and from -8 to -35 degrees Celsius below zero on the mainland coast. The summer months here are December, January and February. During these months, the continent becomes slightly warmer, with temperatures rising from -30 to -50 degrees below zero in the central part and from -5 to 0 degrees Celsius on the coast. Based on the temperatures, it almost never rains here - it only snows.

Another characteristic feature of weather conditions in Antarctica are strong and continuous winds, which can reach up to 90 meters per second. This is due to the dome-shaped structure of the continent. From April to November, winds blow in Antarctica almost all day long without stopping. From November to March, winds can blow at night, and during the day, due to the warming of the upper layer, the winds can subside.

Flora and fauna of Antarctica

Given the peculiarly harsh cold climate of the continent, the diversity of animals and plants leaves much to be desired.

Plants in Antarctica include ferns, algae (in oases), mushrooms, lichens, and flowering plants. Among the animals on the coast of the continent you can find seals and penguins. More animals can be found in the coastal area. Underground animals include arachnids and insects. Seals, fur seals, birds, and penguins also live. There are no completely land animals on the territory of Antarctica. The main decoration of the coasts of Antarctica are penguins.

There are no formed states in Antarctica, and it belongs to no one. But 16 countries have built their bases here and are studying this continent.

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Antarctica is the southernmost point of the globe. This continent is washed by the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Its geographical coordinates are located between latitude 630 south and longitude 570 west. There is also a cape called Sifra. On the northern side, the continent intersects the Arctic Circle several times. The closest state located near Antarctica is

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What is the mainland famous for?

It is the highest continent on earth, with an average altitude of 2000 meters. Its high height is due to a thick layer of ice. Everyone knows Antarctica as the coldest continent on the planet.

In winter, the air temperature drops to -90 degrees, and in summer the figure does not exceed -20 degrees. There is no rain here, since precipitation is represented exclusively by snow. A large area of ​​the continent is an icy desert. Some elements of life are found only close to the coast.

The only representatives of the flora here are lichens, mosses and algae. Speaking of fauna, it is worth noting that seals, penguins and whales can be found here.

Despite the fact that the object is not subject to any state in the world, there are many research stations located on it.

Attractiveness for tourists

Every year the continent welcomes about tens of thousands of tourists, and this flow increases every year. Itself, interesting facts and attractions - that’s what attracts curious people. Everyone strives to visit the deserted and mysterious continent in order to:

Travel organizers offer their clients:

1. Diving to explore the underwater world and observe unusual white-blooded fish.
2. Kayaking exploring icebergs and glaciers by boat from the sea.
3. Mountaineering - in the form of climbing the Antarctic peaks.
4. Camping and skiing, photo tours.

Despite the harsh climate conditions, there are interesting places in Antarctica that attract the attention of tourists.

Sights and interesting facts about them

Temples

Whalers Church

Famous place in Antarctica. The building was built in neo-Gothic style in 1913 near the whaling station. The church was functional, however, it was restored in 1998. Since then, it has practically ceased to be used, but was preserved as a monument for posterity.

Holy Trinity Church

Unusual structure of the Southern Continent. The church was erected in 2003-2004 on Waterloo Island near the Bellingshausen polar station. The architects came up with an unusual fastening method. Six chains were stretched in the temple to securely fix it, and this fact has been proven. During heavy winds, the Chilean station was left without a roof, but this church in Antarctica survived. The people who worked at the station came out at night to see if the temple stood. It was not demolished because the chains were embedded in the foundation and stretched through the entire temple.

Catholic Church

This temple is located in a cave made of ice at an Arctic research base called Belgrano. Among all world religions, this temple is the “coldest”.

Nature

Lemaire Strait

This is one of the most attractive places in Antarctica. For a long time, cruise ships have dropped off tourists for a picnic near the two peaks of Unas Tits. The support towers rise high above the sea, and the tops of the slopes are covered with snow.

The strait was opened in 1873. The German traveler Eduard Dalman put it on the map. A few years later, in 1898, Adrien de Guerpache swam through the strait. He gave it the name in honor of his Belgian colleague Charles Lemaire.

The strait attracts with its charm, and tourists who have taken millions of photos here never tire of admiring its beauty. All travelers try to return here more than once to capture these moments again.

Deception Island

In Antarctica, the islands are a unique attraction. In the distant past, Deception Island was an Antarctic volcano. It is possible that eruptions will still occur, but the last ones were in 1967 - 1970.

The island is home to about eight types of birds, including chinstrap penguins. There is also vegetation here that has not been seen before in the Arctic regions. Hunters have always been interested in the island part of the continent. People set foot on this land around 1820, and then stations for scientific and observational work were built here. Most of them were later destroyed by volcanic lava.

The shape of the island is similar to a horseshoe. This is a unique oceanic site where ships are allowed to sail to study nature and volcanoes.

Queen Maud's Land

The area on the Atlantic coast was named after a Norwegian queen named Maud. At first, Germany filed claims to its ownership, however, since 1939, a “Norwegian sector” was formed here, and it was managed by the Minister of Trade of Oslo.

Today, the territory is used for the purposes of science and research, and therefore there are several research stations on it. Queen Maud Land is popular among expedition groups.

Bloody Falls

An extraordinary place in Antarctica, which is a blood-red water stream that falls out of a glacier. Water flows out of a lake covered with four hundred meters of ice. Thanks to the high salt concentration, the lake does not freeze even at -10 degrees.

This source was found by geologist Taylor, and the glacier was later named in his honor. Initially, the descriptions explained that the unusual color of the water appeared due to a large amount of rust. In addition, scientists have proven the presence of microorganisms that take part in the formation of iron oxides in water.

Desert among the ice

The dry land of Antarctica is hidden surrounded by frozen water. The dry McMurdo Valley has not seen rainfall for many years. The ground cover here is freed from the shell of ice. The valley is covered with sand frozen to the state of stone.

The speed of the raging wind here reaches 320 km/h. The climate conditions in the valleys are close to those on Mars, and therefore they are often used by astronauts for pre-flight preparation. Unknown species of bacteria were found in one of the local lakes.

Dry Valleys are included in the first three positions on the list of attractions in Antarctica. Any diving guide describes these places as they are considered a treasure trove for those who love to explore the underwater world.

Sunken yacht

The sea transport, called the Endless Sea, was wrecked in 2012 in Ardley Bay. Not far from there is the Russian Bellingshausen station. The yacht was involved in the filming of a documentary about the natural delights of Antarctica, however, it got stuck in the ice.

The crew was evacuated immediately, and therefore there were no casualties. This yacht was used for educational and scientific expeditions.

At the beginning of 2013, the transport was raised from the bottom of the bay, and now the yacht is being repaired and preparing for new expeditions.

Emperor penguin colony

This species of animal is considered the largest in the penguin family. Many penguins are found in the southern part of the continent.

The emperor penguin was first discovered by Bellingshausen in 1822. The work of Robert Scott was of considerable importance in the study of the species. His team went to Cape Evans in 1913 and found penguin eggs there. This had a beneficial effect on the study of animal embryonic development.

Antarctica is one of the most amazing places on Earth. Here night lasts six months a year, winter lasts nine. This is the only territory that does not belong to anyone: no government, no administrative and public institutions - nothing at all that we are used to on the mainland. Nothing but scientific research stations. This alone is worth visiting the sights of Antarctica.

But since traveling to the ends of the world will take a lot of time, and this pleasure is not cheap, it may be accessible to a very small number of people. However, this is not a reason to limit your curiosity and deny yourself the opportunity to explore the main attractions of Antarctica. Photos with names and descriptions will help you imagine this icy land as clearly as possible.

Location

Antarctica is translated from Greek as “a place opposite the Arctic.” It is located at the South Pole and covers an area almost 2 times larger than Australia and one and a half times larger than Europe. In addition to the continent of Antarctica itself, it includes many adjacent islands: o. Peter I, Fr. Anvers, o. Adelaide, oh. Alexander, South Shetland Islands. Territories on the mainland are named after historical figures and discoverers: Macrobertson Land, Kemp Land, Princess Elizabeth Land, William Land and others.

Almost the entire area of ​​Antarctica is covered with ice, and only narrow sections of the coast and islands, peaks and ridges are free from ice cover. These ices contain 80% of the entire Earth's reserves.

Territory of science

In 1820, a Russian scientific expedition led by Lazarev and Bellingshausen discovered Antarctica, and since then, for almost two hundred years, scientists around the world have been continuously studying the continent. On December 1, 1959, a settlement agreement was adopted, according to which Antarctica is recognized as an exclusively scientific zone and cannot belong to any specific state. Scientists from the USA, Russia, China, Japan, Germany, and Chile are working on its territory. The greatest interest is in the search for new energy resources, which this land is rich in, according to researchers. In its depths there are rich deposits of oil, gas, coal and charcoal, as well as precious metals.

Weather

Antarctica can hardly be called a comfortable place to live - the air temperature here, even in summer, does not rise above 0, and in the winter months it can drop to -89 degrees. That is why there is no permanent population here.

The number of researchers living on the mainland ranges from 1,000 people in winter to 4,000 in summer. But there are regularly tourists eager to see the sights of Antarctica. The visiting season opens in November and ends in March - these are the months when summer begins on the mainland.

Kingdom of eternal ice

What attracts people from all over the world to this deserted, cold, windswept region? First of all, this is a special atmosphere: silence unusual for residents of a densely populated land, the spectacle of the incredible beauty of the Northern Lights, majestic and harsh icebergs and a unique animal world. The only place on Earth where a person can directly approach cosmic energy is Antarctica.

The attractions that offer more active tourists here include the opportunity to go mountaineering, diving, kayaking (travelling by sea and exploring glaciers on kayaks), skiing, and even camping. There are special photo tours from which you can bring a huge number of unforgettable photographs. Of course, if you want to see the sights of Antarctica, you will have to pay a considerable amount for it. A trip of 13-18 days will cost a minimum of $10,000.

Mostly tourists come here either on cruise ships that depart from the shores of South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Australia, or by plane from South Africa and Chile.

In the world of penguins and sea lions

The South Shetland Islands are, as a rule, the first thing Antarctica reveals to its guests. The sights of these places are literally breathtaking. They consist of 11 large and many small archipelagos. This is the warmest and wettest part of the continent. The animal world here is very diverse. Clumsy on the ground and incredibly graceful penguins, fur seals, overweight ones are found at every step. But the main interest is Deception Island (translated into Russian as “Island of Deception”). This is an extinct volcano, the eruption of which resulted in the formation of a large closed ring.

You can even swim in the hot thermal springs. Those interested can also visit one of the research stations dedicated to the study of penguins.

Desert among the ice

You will be surprised to find out what is hidden among the frozen water. The McMurdo Dry Valleys have not seen rainfall for many millions of years. The earth here is freed from the ice shell, it is covered with sand frozen to a stone state. The speed of the winds that rage here can reach 320 km per hour. Conditions in the three valleys - Victoria, Wright and Taylor - are as close as possible to the conditions on Mars, which astronauts use to prepare for flights. Unknown bacteria were discovered in one of the lakes, after which scientists for the first time were able to answer affirmatively the question: “Is there life on Mars?”

Dry valleys are included in the first positions of the list, which contains the attractions of Antarctica. You will find photos and descriptions of these places in any self-respecting diving guide, because the lakes located on their territory are a godsend for those who like to study the underwater world. However, getting under the ice layer is not so easy, because its thickness is about 3 meters. Experienced divers must use explosives before diving into the incredible world of flora and fauna.

Mysterious sights of Antarctica: Bloody Falls

On the territory of the Dry Valleys there is one of the most intriguing attractions - Bloody Falls. If your imagination has already painted a chilling picture in the spirit of Edgar Allan Poe, or you thought about an ancient legend with ancient spirits bathing in the blood of their victims, then, as always happens in reality, the reality is much more prosaic, but no less interesting. Although the sight is actually quite frightening.

If you decide to go sightseeing in Antarctica, you definitely need to see the Bloody Falls. They were discovered in 1911 by Griffith Taylor, an Australian explorer. He believed that the red color came from algae located at the bottom. However, further study showed that it’s all about the microorganisms that live in the lake. At a depth of 400 meters, deprived of the usual nutrients and sun, they have adapted to obtain everything they need from sulfites, which are rich in salt water. Sulfite is iron that oxidizes when exposed to oxygen, giving water a rusty color. This is a stunning example of how living organisms are able to adapt to survive in extreme conditions.

South Pole Guardian

What wonders do the sights of Antarctica reveal to us! Photos with the names of the main ones can be found on many resources dedicated to this ice-bound region. Be sure to check out one of the most mysterious - Erebus volcano. The composition of the lava it erupts differs significantly from the eruptions of other volcanoes located on the mainland. This is not its only difference. Actually, everything about him is unusual. First of all, Erebus never sleeps. Many volcanoes lie dormant for hundreds of years before spewing boiling lava from their depths, while Erebus is always active. Secondly, it has two craters - one inside the other. The temperature of the cooling magma, located in the deepest of them, reaches 900 degrees Celsius.

Travel lovers and those interested in natural wonders will appreciate the sights of Antarctica. The brief description given in this article can only arouse their curiosity and push them on a crazy expedition to this harsh and attractive land. It is not for nothing that the name of the continent is consonant with the mythical Atlantis - everything here is arranged completely differently from the rest of our Earth. It is full of mysteries and secrets, which nature generously scattered over its icy covers and safely hid under them.

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about country

Antarctica is an ice-covered continent located at the south pole of the Earth, with an area of ​​approximately 14.1 million km2. From Greek, "Antarctica" means "the place opposite the Arctic." The continent is almost 2 times larger than Australia and 1.4 times larger than Europe. Antarctica's ice shelves, with a total area of ​​0.93 million km2, represent 1/15 of the continent's entire territory and are the source of the largest icebergs on the planet. The continent includes the continent of Antarctica and the adjacent islands (South Shetland Islands, Alexander Island, Peter I Island, Anvers Island, Adelaide Island, etc.). The continent is divided into territories (“lands”) named after their discoverers and historical figures, for example: Kemp Land, Macrobertson Land, Princess Elizabeth Land, Coats Land, Ellsworth Land, Wilhelhem Land, etc. Only 3-4% of the area of ​​Antarctica (40 thousand km2) is free from ice cover, these are sections of islands and coasts, “Dry Valleys”, ridges and peaks of the transantarctic mountains (they are also called “nunataks”). The thickness of the ice dome of Antarctica is on average 2600 meters; the world's supply of fresh water is concentrated in this ice (about 80% of all fresh water on Earth). Thanks to the ice cover, the continent rises 2000 meters above world sea level. Antarctica was discovered by a Russian scientific expedition in January 1820, its scientific leaders were Mikhail Lazarev and Thaddeus Bellingshausen. Since then, for almost two centuries, scientists from different countries have been constantly studying Antarctica. More than 45 scientific stations from different countries of the world have been built here, including Russia, the USA, China, Japan, Germany and Chile. Among the Russian scientific facilities in Antarctica that are currently operating: Vostok, Novolazarevskaya, Mirny, Bellingshausen and Progress, two more stations are reserved. Antarctica is recognized as a free zone for scientific research. According to the settlement agreement of December 1, 1959, Antarctica cannot belong to any country. The placement of military strategic facilities, nuclear power units and other nuclear carriers is prohibited on the mainland. Every 50 years, this treaty is revised; in 2009, a meeting of countries decided to leave the convention unchanged. Interest in studying the icy continent is growing as the need for new sources of energy resources grows, which, according to experts, are abundant in Antarctica. According to polar scientists, rich sources of oil, gas, precious metals, coal and charcoal are concentrated in the bowels of the continent. The development of such deposits requires enormous funds; scientists from the USA and China are working most actively in this direction today.

Geography of Antarctica

The center of the continent coincides with the southern geographic pole of the earth. Antarctica is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. The waters surrounding Antarctica are also called the Southern Ocean; its area is conventionally defined as 20 million km2. The continent includes the continent of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands. The entire territory of the mainland is penetrated by subglacial rivers and lakes.

The area of ​​Antarctica is 14.1 million km. sq.

Population

Population of Antarctica

Due to the cold climate, there is no permanent population in Antarctica. Scientific stations operate here in winter and summer; about 1,000 people are employed on the continent in winter, and about 4,000 people in summer. Tourists visit the continent every year; in 2010, their number was 36,000. It is noteworthy that in 1978, a human child was born for the first time on the mainland; this happened at the Esperanza station, where Argentinean Emilio Marcos Palma was born. In 2004 on the island. Waterloo illuminated the first Orthodox Temple in Antarctica - the Church of the Holy Trinity. In 2007, the first wedding ceremony in Antarctica took place here, the priest blessed Eduardo Aliaga Ilabac (a scientist from Chile) and Angelina Zhuldybina (the daughter of a Russian researcher) for marriage.

Weather in Antarctica

Antarctica is characterized by harsh climatic conditions with low temperatures, strong winds (katabatic winds, the speed of which reaches 300 km/h), snow storms and fog. It never rains here, and the air humidity is almost zero. In the eastern part of the continent in 1983, the lowest temperature in the entire history of meteorological observations was recorded, minus 89.2 Celsius. Winter here lasts from June to August, with an average temperature from -60 to -70 degrees, in summer (December, January, February) - from -30 to -50 degrees. On the coast of Antarctica, the temperature is much higher than the average for the mainland; in winter the thermometer here shows from -8 to -35 degrees, and in summer - from 0 to -5 degrees. The tourist season to Antarctica opens in November-December and ends in March-April.

Sights of Antarctica

Every year Antarctica receives tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world, and every year the tourist flow only increases. Such interest in the ice continent is explained by the desire to visit an extraordinary, mysterious and deserted place, admire the majestic icebergs of gigantic size, look at the wonderful animals of Antarctica, admire the aurora, visit mysterious places and stations of polar scientists, and also enjoy the peace and tranquility of the eternal ice. It should be noted that Antarctica has transparent, clean air, which is unusual for the human eye; because of this, objects here seem closer than they really are. The sunlight here is very bright, so all agencies recommend that tourists take good sunglasses and special attachments (lenses) for cameras. Most tourists come to the continent on cruise ships. The organizers of such trips additionally offer their clients diving services (studying the underwater world of Antarctica, including observing unusual “ice” white-blooded fish); “kayaking” (exploring glaciers and icebergs from the sea on boats called kayaks); mountaineering (climbing Antarctic mountain peaks, including Vinson, Erebus, etc.); camping (services of a tent camp located on the coast); skiing and photo tours. Particular attention is paid to organizing New Year's tours to Antarctica, during which tourists will be able to celebrate the New Year within the walls of a polar research station. The cost of such cruises averages from 10,000 USD for 13-18 days of travel. Among the attractions of Antarctica, the South Shetland Islands and Deception Island are especially popular. Notable for its volcanic origin and geothermal activity, the island. Deception is part of a once existing volcano; "Dry Valleys" The conditions of this area are close to those on Mars, astronauts are trained here, and the desert itself has been protected by the UNESCO community since 2004; "Bloody Falls" Found in the Dry Valleys, East Antarctica; Ice active volcano Erebus. This is one of the highest volcanoes on Earth (3794 m), it is notable for its unusual origin, and the composition of the erupted lava differs significantly from the composition of the eruptions of other terrestrial volcanoes; South Pole. Tours to the South Pole of the Earth are in demand among tourists; the average annual temperature here is -49 degrees. Harsh weather conditions do not deter people who want to reach the southernmost point of the Earth. Tour costs from 43,000 USD; Vinson Massif. Vinson Peak is the highest peak in Antarctica, its height is 4892 m; Lake Vanda. One of the saltiest lakes on the planet, its depth is 69 meters. In winter, this lake is covered with a crust of ice, and in summer you can swim here. Particular attention is paid to flora and fauna in Antarctica. Its representatives live mainly in the coastal zone. Vegetation on the mainland is sparse, with some species of mosses and lichens and several flowering plant species found here. But here live unique birds (arctic skuas, skuas, petrels), seals (elephant seals, Ross seals, leopard seals, Weddell seals, etc.), emperor penguins, Adélie penguins, and whales.

Transport

Antarctica can be reached by water or air transport. Tourists travel to Antarctica by plane from Chile and South Africa. Australian airlines organize tourist air excursions to Antarctica, but do not make landing stops. Expedition and cruise ships to Antarctica depart from the shores of Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Health

To visit Antarctica as part of a cruise tour, a tourist will need to fill out a special medical questionnaire and submit it to the cruise ship doctor. Each passenger must have his own medical kit, which will contain his personal medications, as well as medications for seasickness. A cruise ship doctor will be able to provide emergency medical assistance to a tourist.

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