Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth, surrounding the South Pole and covered almost entirely by ice.
- Population: Antarctica has no permanent human population. Instead, it hosts a temporary community of 1,000–5,000 people depending on the season, made up mainly of scientists and support staff living at research stations.
- Brief History: The existence of a southern landmass was long speculated before Antarctica was first sighted in 1820. It remained largely unexplored until the early 20th century, when expeditions led by explorers like Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed, preserving the continent for peaceful scientific research and banning military activity and resource exploitation.
- Current Day: Today, Antarctica is a hub for international scientific study, especially in fields such as climate change, glaciology, and astronomy. Over 30 countries operate research bases there. Tourism has also grown, though it is carefully regulated to protect the fragile ecosystem. The continent plays a crucial role in Earth’s climate system due to its vast ice sheets and unique wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales.
