Antarctica is one of the continents, the fifth largest. It extends 14,000,000 sq km or about 9,000,000 sq miles. 2% of its land mass is bare rock and 98% is ice - on average 2.5 km thick. It is in fact the largest desert in the world, meaning that it has a climate with less than 10 inches of annual rainfall (although it doesn't fit the normal definition of what we would consider a desert).
The beauty of the continent is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Southern Ocean and with the Transatlantic Mountain range splitting it in half, it draws people form near and far to experience its ethereal existence. There are no indigenous peoples in the country, although several over a few hundred years have staked claim in it. Explorers included Captain James Cook of the UK who, in 1773, crossed the Antarctic Circle for the time in history and Sir James Clark Ross (UK) who founded the Ross Sea and Ice Shelf while searching for the magnetic South Pole. Antarctica's only permanent residents include penguins, seals, whales, krill, albatross, petrel and skua. Visitors will be greeted by a nonchalant, unthreatened stare from the animal population.
To reach Antarctica, you will need to depart from South America, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand with most ships leaving from South America. At one point you will cross the phenomenon known as the Antarctic convergence. Deep flowing cold water from Antarctica meets with deep flowing warmer water from equatorial regions and creates a circumpolar (goes around the pole) barrier approximately 20 - 30 miles wide. Since it came into existence 20 million years ago or so, during which time, there has been little exchange of marine life from one side to another.
In the Antarctica, dreams meet reality as you take in the breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. As you step onto Antarctica's bare landscape, you'll still see truly wondrous views. Depending on the tour operator you go with, there'll be between one and three landings daily, where you go on the mainland using zodiacs. Each trip lasts up to three hours with the cruises themselves normally lasting between 10 and 15 days. Once you reach land, there various things you can do and see.
You can mountain climb, scuba dive, kayak, or camp. When you're out here, you can see whales, seals, or penguins. You can also visit Deception Island, a "collapsed volcano" that exists in the Southern Shetland Islands, forming a natural harbour. This offers visitors an improbably thermally heated Pendulum Cove. Lemaire Channel, nicknamed "Kodak Gap" because of its popularity with visitors, lies between the Antarctic Peninsula cliffs and Booth Island. Paradise Harbour has breathtaking scenery and glaciers; this is one way to relax and simply take in the view. The Falkland Islands are also nearby, with a history that goes back to the 16th century. Then, Patagonians travelled to the islands, as did the Argentineans, the French, and the British.
Smaller cruise ships tend to go to Antarctica. Occasionally, some of the larger cruise ships venture into Antarctic waters, but only limited numbers are allowed ashore at any one time, so they do not tend to stop for shore visits. Expeditions are seasonal and include stops at historical huts, remote areas, and wildlife viewing. The best time to travel is the summer time between November and March with over twenty hours of sunlight. Temperatures vary throughout Antarctica, from -1C down to -30C depending on the location and season. No matter where you visit on Antarctica, you will find the grace of creation at your fingertips as you set sights on a whole new world.
The beauty of the continent is unsurpassed. Surrounded by the Southern Ocean and with the Transatlantic Mountain range splitting it in half, it draws people form near and far to experience its ethereal existence. There are no indigenous peoples in the country, although several over a few hundred years have staked claim in it. Explorers included Captain James Cook of the UK who, in 1773, crossed the Antarctic Circle for the time in history and Sir James Clark Ross (UK) who founded the Ross Sea and Ice Shelf while searching for the magnetic South Pole. Antarctica's only permanent residents include penguins, seals, whales, krill, albatross, petrel and skua. Visitors will be greeted by a nonchalant, unthreatened stare from the animal population.
To reach Antarctica, you will need to depart from South America, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand with most ships leaving from South America. At one point you will cross the phenomenon known as the Antarctic convergence. Deep flowing cold water from Antarctica meets with deep flowing warmer water from equatorial regions and creates a circumpolar (goes around the pole) barrier approximately 20 - 30 miles wide. Since it came into existence 20 million years ago or so, during which time, there has been little exchange of marine life from one side to another.
In the Antarctica, dreams meet reality as you take in the breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. As you step onto Antarctica's bare landscape, you'll still see truly wondrous views. Depending on the tour operator you go with, there'll be between one and three landings daily, where you go on the mainland using zodiacs. Each trip lasts up to three hours with the cruises themselves normally lasting between 10 and 15 days. Once you reach land, there various things you can do and see.
You can mountain climb, scuba dive, kayak, or camp. When you're out here, you can see whales, seals, or penguins. You can also visit Deception Island, a "collapsed volcano" that exists in the Southern Shetland Islands, forming a natural harbour. This offers visitors an improbably thermally heated Pendulum Cove. Lemaire Channel, nicknamed "Kodak Gap" because of its popularity with visitors, lies between the Antarctic Peninsula cliffs and Booth Island. Paradise Harbour has breathtaking scenery and glaciers; this is one way to relax and simply take in the view. The Falkland Islands are also nearby, with a history that goes back to the 16th century. Then, Patagonians travelled to the islands, as did the Argentineans, the French, and the British.
Smaller cruise ships tend to go to Antarctica. Occasionally, some of the larger cruise ships venture into Antarctic waters, but only limited numbers are allowed ashore at any one time, so they do not tend to stop for shore visits. Expeditions are seasonal and include stops at historical huts, remote areas, and wildlife viewing. The best time to travel is the summer time between November and March with over twenty hours of sunlight. Temperatures vary throughout Antarctica, from -1C down to -30C depending on the location and season. No matter where you visit on Antarctica, you will find the grace of creation at your fingertips as you set sights on a whole new world.
About the Author:
Jeff Paulett is a partner of Coastal Cruises, if you would like to know more about Journeys to Antarctica, please visit their site at Antarctica-Cruising.com,
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