Antarctica is the fifth largest continent, extending 14 million square kilometres (apprx. 9 million square miles) where 98% of the mass is an ice sheet over 1 mile thick and 2% barren rock. Approximately 70% of all of the fresh water in the world is locked up in the ice of Antarctica and yet ironically, it is also the largest desert in the world. The definition of desert is a climate with less than 250mm annual rainfall.
Despite its climate, its beauty is utterly breathtaking. It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean, and the Transatlantic Mountain Range bisects it. Although many people come to visit because of its astonishing beauty, it has no indigenous people. Several, however, have staked claim to it, including explorers like Captain James Cook of the UK. In 1773, Cook crossed the Antarctica Circle for the first time in history. Sir James Clark Ross of the UK founded the Ross Ice Shelf and Ross Sea as he was searching for the magnetic South Pole. In fact, Antarctica's only "indigenous people" are those of the nonhuman variety, including skua, petrel, albatross, krill, whales, seals, and penguins. In fact, they're unused enough to people that human visitors generally get a disinterested stare from such residents.
If you want to get to Antarctica, you first have to leave from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa or South America, by ship. At some point, you'll cross what's known as the "Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone". This phenomenon is caused by deep warm water flowing south from equatorial regions with deep, cold water from Antarctica. This creates a strip about 30 miles wide of up-swelling of nutrient rich turbulent water that surrounds the Antarctic. It came into existence of 20 million years ago, creating a natural barrier across which there has been very little exchange of marine life.
If you come here, dreams truly meet reality with the landscapes and seascapes producing utterly astonishing vistas. This is, after all, the "bottom of the world." You'll normally access the mainland via zodiac, making the trip up to three times a day. Each short trip usually lasts about three hours, with cruises themselves lasting between 10 and 15 days. Once you get on land, there's quite a lot to do and see.
You can mountain climb, scuba dive, kayak, or camp. When you're out here, you can see whales, seals, or penguins. You can also visit Deception Island, a "collapsed volcano" that exists in the Southern Shetland Islands, forming a natural harbour. This offers visitors an improbably thermally heated Pendulum Cove. Lemaire Channel, nicknamed "Kodak Gap" because of its popularity with visitors, lies between the Antarctic Peninsula cliffs and Booth Island. Paradise Harbour has breathtaking scenery and glaciers; this is one way to relax and simply take in the view. The Falkland Islands are also nearby, with a history that goes back to the 16th century. Then, Patagonians travelled to the islands, as did the Argentineans, the French, and the British.
Generally cruise ships not exceeding 250 passengers go to Antarctica. These types of expeditions are seasonal and include stops at remote areas, with wildlife viewing, and at historical huts, too. The best time travel to the Antarctica is in the summer between November and March, which has over 20 hours of sunlight in a day at that point. Temperatures vary, from between one below zero degrees Celsius to 30 below zero degrees Celsius, depending on where you are. It's also the windiest place on earth. No matter where you go on Antarctica, though, you'll marvel at the creation that lives there, and feast your eyes on a world you never thought you'd see.
Despite its climate, its beauty is utterly breathtaking. It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean, and the Transatlantic Mountain Range bisects it. Although many people come to visit because of its astonishing beauty, it has no indigenous people. Several, however, have staked claim to it, including explorers like Captain James Cook of the UK. In 1773, Cook crossed the Antarctica Circle for the first time in history. Sir James Clark Ross of the UK founded the Ross Ice Shelf and Ross Sea as he was searching for the magnetic South Pole. In fact, Antarctica's only "indigenous people" are those of the nonhuman variety, including skua, petrel, albatross, krill, whales, seals, and penguins. In fact, they're unused enough to people that human visitors generally get a disinterested stare from such residents.
If you want to get to Antarctica, you first have to leave from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa or South America, by ship. At some point, you'll cross what's known as the "Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone". This phenomenon is caused by deep warm water flowing south from equatorial regions with deep, cold water from Antarctica. This creates a strip about 30 miles wide of up-swelling of nutrient rich turbulent water that surrounds the Antarctic. It came into existence of 20 million years ago, creating a natural barrier across which there has been very little exchange of marine life.
If you come here, dreams truly meet reality with the landscapes and seascapes producing utterly astonishing vistas. This is, after all, the "bottom of the world." You'll normally access the mainland via zodiac, making the trip up to three times a day. Each short trip usually lasts about three hours, with cruises themselves lasting between 10 and 15 days. Once you get on land, there's quite a lot to do and see.
You can mountain climb, scuba dive, kayak, or camp. When you're out here, you can see whales, seals, or penguins. You can also visit Deception Island, a "collapsed volcano" that exists in the Southern Shetland Islands, forming a natural harbour. This offers visitors an improbably thermally heated Pendulum Cove. Lemaire Channel, nicknamed "Kodak Gap" because of its popularity with visitors, lies between the Antarctic Peninsula cliffs and Booth Island. Paradise Harbour has breathtaking scenery and glaciers; this is one way to relax and simply take in the view. The Falkland Islands are also nearby, with a history that goes back to the 16th century. Then, Patagonians travelled to the islands, as did the Argentineans, the French, and the British.
Generally cruise ships not exceeding 250 passengers go to Antarctica. These types of expeditions are seasonal and include stops at remote areas, with wildlife viewing, and at historical huts, too. The best time travel to the Antarctica is in the summer between November and March, which has over 20 hours of sunlight in a day at that point. Temperatures vary, from between one below zero degrees Celsius to 30 below zero degrees Celsius, depending on where you are. It's also the windiest place on earth. No matter where you go on Antarctica, though, you'll marvel at the creation that lives there, and feast your eyes on a world you never thought you'd see.
About the Author:
Jeff Paulett is a partner of Coastal Cruises, if you would like to know more about Journeys to Antarctica, please visit their site at Antarctica-Cruising.com,
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