Antarctica and the Arctic

          At opposite ends of the world there are waste-lands of snow and ice. Antarctica and the Arctic are the names given to the cold polar regions ― the areas at the far south and north of the globe. In these places the sun never rises for half of each year ― and then, for the next 6 months, it never sets. When it does shine, the sun's rays are weak, so both regions are very cold all or part of the time. Antarctica, the southern polar region, is the coldest place on earth. It is a vast ice-covered continent, larger than the United States of America (USA). In places the ice is 2,000 m (6,500 ft) thick. The whole of the continent is surrounded by oceans which, in winter, also turn to ice. Even in summer, the air temperature hardly rises above freezing. About 4,000 scientists and visitors live there.

          The Arctic is not a continent; it is a vast ocean surrounded by land. Much of the ocean is frozen throughout the year, but the fringes of the Arctic have a more varied climate. In some places the weather is warm enough for plants to grow. And since prehistoric times Eskimo people have lived there.

Antarctica: There is more fresh water in Antarctica, locked up in the form of ice, than in the whole of the rest of the world. Yet very little rain falls there, and only 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) of new snow coats the continent each year. Hurricane-force winds often blow, making Antarctica a hostile place for people and animals. The largest land creature is a tiny insects, though penguins and other birds live on offshore islands. For travelling on land, scientists in Antarctica use special tracked vehicles. Despite the savage cold, several countries have claimed sections of Antarctica. There may be valuable minerals beneath the ice, but an international treaty now prevents mining.

Arctic: Much of the Arctic fringe is tundra ― low, swampy grass plains. Here nomadic tribes such as the Sami graze reindeer. People also live in the more northerly areas, which are largely covered by ice; the Inuit of northern Canada, for ecexamp, live by fishing and hunting. However, traditional ways of life are changing. Immigrants, attracted by the valuable Arctic natural resources, bring with them new cultures and technologies.

Polar temperatures:

2℃/-28°F Sea water freezes. On the Antarctic coast, summer temperatures are only a degree or so warmer than this.

-25℃/-13°F Steel crystallizes and becomes brittle.

-40℃/-40°F Synthetic rubber becomes brittle, and exposed flesh freezes rapidly.

-89℃/-128.6°F Lowest temperature ever recorded, at Vostok research station, Antarctica, 1983.

Mineral Wealth: Both regions have deposits of minerals, such as gold, copper, uranium, and nickel. However, extracting them may damage the fragile polar environment.

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CONTINENTS

ESKIMO

GLACIERS AND ICECAPS

POLAR EXPLORATION

POLAR WILDLIFE
ARCTIC