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Visit the coldest continent at the bottom of the world.
Imagine a place where the ground is a giant ice cube and the sun doesn't set for months! Did you know there is a whole continent where no one owns a house or a car?
Antarctica is a very special continent. While most continents like North America or Africa are spread across the middle of the Earth, Antarctica sits right at the very bottom. This exact spot is called the South Pole. If you look at a globe, it is the big white shape at the base. It is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Because it is so far away from the warm center of the Earth, it stays frozen all year long!
Quick Check
If you were looking at a globe, where would you point your finger to find Antarctica?
Answer
At the very bottom, which is the South Pole.
Antarctica is known as the 'Icy Continent' for a good reason. Nearly all of it—about —is covered in a thick layer of ice. This ice is not just a thin sheet; in some places, it is over miles thick! It is the coldest, driest, and windiest place on our planet. Even though it is covered in ice, it is actually considered a desert because it hardly ever rains or snows there. The air is just too cold to hold much water!
Imagine you have a stack of blocks representing the whole continent. 1. of those blocks would be made of solid ice. 2. Only blocks would be bare rock. This shows that almost the entire continent is hidden under a frozen blanket!
Quick Check
Why is Antarctica called the 'Icy Continent'?
Answer
Because almost all of it () is covered in thick ice.
Unlike other continents, Antarctica has no cities, no towns, and no native people who have lived there for a long time. It is too cold for most plants to grow, so there are no forests or farms. The only people you will find there are scientists. These are brave researchers who visit to study the ice, the weather, and the stars. They stay in special buildings called research stations. While humans don't live there forever, animals like penguins, seals, and whales love the cold water!
If you were a scientist visiting Antarctica, you would need special gear because there are no stores to buy things! 1. You would need a 'Big Red' parka (a very thick coat). 2. You would need goggles to protect your eyes from the wind. 3. You would need to bring all your food with you because nothing grows in the ice!
What is the name of the spot at the very bottom of the Earth where Antarctica is located?
About how much of Antarctica is covered in ice?
There are many large cities with schools and malls in Antarctica.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow, try to remember the name of the ocean that surrounds Antarctica and the name of the pole it sits on.
Practice Activity
Draw a picture of a scientist in Antarctica. What kind of clothes are they wearing? What animals might be standing near them?