The coldest continent in the extreme South

Not a single continent of our planet so not attracted researchers as Antarctica. None so ably managed to keep its many secrets today. It is a unique continent, it is absolutely not similar to the others. Of course, the main difference from the other – extremely harsh climatic conditions, making Antarctica the coldest continent. This was facilitated by the fact that the continent – the highest on Earth, its surface rises over the ocean at 4000 meters. And also the fact that it is almost completely located South of the Antarctic circle. In Antarctica is the South pole of our planet, and yet – the pole of cold.

History of research

The existence Of great sushi South of the Antarctic circle, people assumed even in ancient times. On some maps of the middle ages are seen not only complete the outlines of the continent, but also the designated items, are strikingly similar to valid. Trying to find the coldest continent was made to work, but first it managed to make Russian sailors Lazarev and Bellingshausen. It happened in 1820. The first people who traveled to the South pole, were the Norwegians, led by Roald Amundsen in 1911. But really, the mainland began to study only in the second half of the 20th century. Then it became known that Antarctica is the coldest continent.

Current research

The territory of the continent does not belong to one state, there is no resident population. But the mainland is of interest in many countries in the world, and they built for his investigations of the research station. Is no exception and Russia. The special International Treaty of 1959 Antarctica, in fact, transformed into a vast natural scientific laboratory in which scientists work together from different countries.

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Relief

The Researchers were able to establish that the basis of the sixth continent is the Antarctic platform. It is covered with a huge ice dome, the thickness of which in some places reaches up to 4 km And under it, as in other parts of the world, lie the mountains and plains, not unlike the others. There are active volcanoes, the highest of them – the Erebus. Minerals in the depths of Antarctica a lot, but they are still poorly studied.

Why Antarctica is the coldest continent?

The Climate is extremely harsh. -89,2 °C – this low temperature there was once fixed. This is the coldest place on our planet called pole of cold, situated near the polar station «East». The surface of the continent covered with snow and ice reflects almost all incoming solar energy. On the mainland is always an area of high atmosphere
Pressure, the air from its center moving toward the periphery. This causes strong winds and very low temperatures. All the land here is frozen desert.

Cruises to Antarctica

Take an unforgettable journey into the Kingdom of eternal cold is nowadays possible for everyone. There are many travel companies that organize such trips. Tours typically last from 10 to 40 days, their value depending on the selected mode of transport reaches 60 thousand dollars.

Despite the harshness of the local conditions on the mainland there are many unusual and interesting places for tourists. An example is the dry valleys of Victoria, Master & Taylor – it really is the driest place on Earth, there is no precipitation falling out for the past two million years. There's no snow or ice. South Georgia island will amaze with its extraordinary views, however, as well as all of Antarctica. In this area of the world, will be a long time to recall the very cold, but so beautiful in its harshness the mainland.