Antarctica

Introduction

Antarctica is situated around the south pole, its total surface area is approximately 14,000,000 square kilometres. It is also fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe. Antarctica is the coldest continent in the world with severely low temperatures that vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing.

Antarctica is about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent.

Antarctica has rich deposits of iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries.

Wildlife Forms

Antarctica, the frozen continent surrounding the Earth's South Pole, and the frigid seas surrounding it, are home to many animals. In particular, the Antarctic seas are teeming with life, ranging from microscopic plankton to the biggest animal that ever lived on Earth, the Blue whale.

All of the Antarctic animals have adapted to life in extremely cold conditions. Some, like the whales, seals, and birds, have an insulating layer of fat to protect them from the cold. Others, like many fish and insects, have special chemicals in their blood (natural antifreeze proteins) that keep them from freezing. Many animals (like penguins and seals) have a compact body form and thick skin to help retain body heat. Birds also have waterproof plumage (feathers) and downy insulating feathers.

Land and sea animals from Antarctica include:

Ð'* Crustaceans

Ð'* Other marine invertebrates - squid, cuttle-fish, octopus, marine snails, limpets, sponges, sea stars, sea squirts, nudibranchs, sea anemones, comb jellies, corals, hydroids, sea urchins, Antarctic krill, zooplankton, and many others

Ð'* Insects and Arachnids

Ð'* Fish

Ð'* Mammals

Ð'* Birds

People

There are no permanent inhabitants in Antarctica

26 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate seasonal (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and in its surrounding oceans; the population of persons doing and supporting science on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty) varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region.

Arguments for Development

Ð'* Antarctica is extremely rich in many minerals making it a valuable place to start mining.

Ð'* There are large stocks of krill, fish, seals and whales in the ocean around Antarctica.

Ð'* Tens of billions of barrels of oil could be extracted here.

Ð'* Tourism here would allow people to have access to such a beautiful environment, should Antarctica only be open and seen by a few lucky scientists?

Ð'* Antarctica has the worlds largest coal field in the world,