Chimu Blog Because you’re so cool, you know facts about Antarctica like it is the coldest, driest and windiest continent in the world, right? You probably also know that Antarctica is technically a desert even though it holds 70% of our planet’s freshwater supply. Yes, we know you knew that.
But did you know that if you want to work in Antarctica you’d need to have your wisdom teeth pulled out, or that if you hopped in a time machine and visited Antarctica a couple million years ago, you’d see it covered in palm trees?
Ha! Didn’t think so!
Here’s some super-cool facts about Antarctica we bet you didn’t know…
1. The first person to reach the South Pole was Roald Amundsen
Roald Amundsen is a Norwegian explorer, who planted the Norwegian flag there in December 1911. He beat the Brits by only about a week.
Win some. Lose some.
2. The first person to be born in Antarctica was Argentine Emilio Marcos Palma.
As a ploy to claim sovereignty over part of the continent, Argentina sent a pregnant mother there on purpose in 1977 so she could birth her child on a section of contested territory. Nicely played Argentina…nicely played.
3. There are no surgeries being performed at Antartica
Since surgeries are not performed at any of the research stations, you’re not allowed to work in Antarctica unless you have your wisdom teeth an appendix removed, even if there’s nothing wrong with them.
If that’s not dedication to your job, we don’t know what is!
4. The creatures living in Antarctica use antifreeze
Quite a few sea creatures which live in Antarctica have natural antifreeze in their bodies, to prevent them from freezing solid.
Now if only humans had that…hmmm…
5. Glaciologists are experts who study Antarctica by extracting tubes of ice (called ice cores).
Much like year-rings on trees, ice cores can be used to trace back the history of Antarctica. If you asked nicely enough, a glaciologist in Antarctica could give you a glass of water from the time of the Ancient Egyptians. Really!
6. You won’t find any polar bears in Antarctica
If you’re getting excited about seeing polar bears…don’t. None are here. They live on the other end of our planet.
Sorry to disappoint!
7. There are more churches than ATM machines in Antarctica
There are only two ATM machines in all of Antarctica…but at least seven Christian churches.
It’s all about priorities, apparently.
8. The coldest temperature ever recorded on earth was in Antarctica
This temperature was measured on a Russian station. It was July 21, 1983, when folks woke up to a frosty -89.2C.
Think of that next time you suffer a chilli day.
9. The strongest winds on Antarctica can reach speeds of up to 320km/hr.
This strong wind is called katabatic. the 320km/hr speed is a higher speed than a jumbo jet needs to take off.
10. The internet domain extension for Antarctica is ‘.aq’.
Even though Antarctica is not a country, the .aq domain code is reserved for companies that are operating in Antarctica.
11. The Antarctic ice fish lacks red blood cells
A very odd Antarctic fish, the unimaginatively named ‘ice fish’, completely lacks red blood cells (which are normally needed to carry oxygen around) and are ghostly white in appearance.
12. There are 400 lakes in Antarctica
There are about 400 lakes hidden underneath Antarctica’s ice shelves, the largest of which is called Lake Vostok.
13. Millions of years ago, Antarctica had a tropical climate
Four and a half million years ago, Antarctica was warm and covered in palm trees.
14. There are active volcanoes in Antarctica
The southernmost active volcano on earth is in Antarctica.
It spews out ice crystals. No joke!
15. The international research stations in Antarctica are scared of fire
The biggest danger faced by international research stations in Antarctica is fire. Due to excessively dry conditions, fires are easy to ignite and difficult to contain.
16. The band Metallica played a concert in Antarctica
On December 8, 2013, the metal band Metallica played a concert in Antarctica, making it the first band to have played on all seven continents in one year. The name of the concert? Freeze ‘em all.
17. People are voluntarily running marathons in Antarctica
Every year, athletes compete in the 100km-long Antarctic Ice Marathon.
Because…why not?
18. You can enjoy a glass of vodka in Antarctica
At the Vernadsky Research Station, you’ll find the southern most bar in the world. Vodka is served on the rocks. Chi-ching!
19. Antarctica is the only continent with no reptiles.
Reptiles rely on their environment to stay warm, so it is simply impossible for reptiles to stay warm in Antarctica. Everything has a limit, we suppose.
20. Some parts of the continent are very dry
Some parts of the continent are so dry, they last had rain or snow over two million years ago. Gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘dry spell’.
These fun facts are, well, just the tip of the iceberg! Find out more about the amazing Antarctic continent and see what you can learn!
Interested in going to Antarctica after reading all of these super cool facts? Chimu offers a wide range of itineraries and vessels.
