5 Most Interesting Facts About Antarctica

One of the coolest places on the planet is one that has barely seen an human visitors, which is strange since we, as a population, love to spread ourselves across every inch of land. Part of the lack of settlement (by the way I'm talking about Antarctica) is because of the topography and climate of Antarctica. It's one of the coldest regions on the planet year-round and is virtually completely covered with ice; in the winter it'd be near impossible to live there.

This lack of living on Antarctica also makes it one of the most mysterious, as well as one of the most interesting places on the planet. Antarctica animals are some of the most unique and strongest; some of the most interesting Antarctica facts are things you wouldn't even dream possible. Just take an Antartica cruise there and you'll be baffled at all the incredible things.

But are the most interesting facts about Antarctica; what are the coolest facts about Antarctica; what is some Antarctica information that you just have to know?

Well that's why you're here - so let's take a look.

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One of the most interesting facts about Antarctica, as well as one of the most well known facts, is the temperature in Antarctica. It may not be the coolest Antarctica fact, but it, without a doubt, one of the most important pieces of information you should about the region.

The temperature in Antarctica is always, and I mean always, below freezing! Even in the summer the temperature won't get any higher than around -1 degrees Celsius!

Why is it so cold in Antarctica? What are the consequences of this cold climate?

Other than being the most southern continent of the world and the farthest landmass away from the equator, meaning it gets the least about of Sun energy than anywhere else in the world, Antarctica temperatures are so cold due to it's relation to different ocean currents and the south pole. 

One of the biggest consequences (if you want to call it that) of such cold temperature is that almost the entire region is just one big ice sheet.   The ice is, on average, 1.6 miles thick and holds 90 percent of fresh water on the planet!  That doesn't sound much like a consequence does it?

Probably one of the most interesting facts about Antarctica is its government - or lack of government.  Antarctic has no government and is owned by no country, making it truly one of the most unique places on the planet (few other places have no government!).   Although many countries have tried to claim the land, there is a treaty in place that prevents this. 

This lack of government gives away to another interesting fact that is also one of the coolest and one of the most interesting facts about Antarctica.

McMurdo Station is the largest research station on Antarctica.   Each summer over 1500 researchers flock there to study the mysterious region.

My point is is that since there is no government on Antarctica it allows people from every country in the world to study there.  No other place in the world has such an electric mix of people working together on one goal. 

One of the most interesting things about Antarctica are, without a doubt, the animals of Antarctica.  Antarctica animals range in species, in build, in design, making them some of the most unique animals on the planet. 

Ever seen the incredible movie March of the Penguins?  Yeah - those are Antarctica penguins!

Antarctica Animals:

• Emperor Penguins 
• Leopard Seals 
• Adelie Penguin
• Snow Petrel 
• Cape Pigeon 
• Southern Elephant Seal
• Wandering Albatross 

One of the most important facts and information about Antarctica is the ice. You already know that the ice in Antarctica holds over 90% of our fresh water.  But do you know that the ice in Antarctica is melting, that already some of the most important ice shelfs in Antarcta are beginning to move into the ocean and, if this continues, will raise oceans by up to two feet?

Probably not. 

The biggest threat of global warming is the melting of ice in Antarctica. 

Alright, so that was a little depressing.  Time for a little happier fact about Antarctica ice, as well as probably the coolest fact ever. 

There are miles and miles of lakes under the Antarctia ice.  These lakes have been untouched for millions of years.  What kind of life is down there?  Is there life down there?  Perhaps Atlantis. 

In the next few years the underground, mysterious, untouched lakes, will be researched and explored. 

Perhaps the lakes will hold the key to stop global warming.

My final interesting Antarctica fact is more of a list of some unique facts about the region, the climate and such; you may call it, if you like, a fact about the best facts of Antarctica.

• Time stands still - there are no time zones.
• 10% of Earth's land is Antarctica and yet no one lives here.
• Majority of Meteorites are found in Antarctica (probably because its the biggest landmass).
• Biggest dessert in the world (it never rains!)
• Lowest temperature was -129 in 1983