Author: aquastar

Antarctica is the fifth largest continent and its the coldest, highest, windiest and driest of all the continents. Located in the southern most area the of the earth is one of the reasons its the world's coldest region. Its almost entirely covered by ice which averages 1.6 km in thickness. Antarctica contains about 90% of the world's ice and is where you will find around 70% of the world's fresh water. No wonder Antarctica is often known as the Great White Continent. The lowest temperature ever recorded anywhere on earth was -89.2 C which was recorded on July 21 1983 at the Russian operated Vostok Station. Unconfirmed reports suggest that lower recordings have been made since, however the Putin regime has not yet confirmed these reports.

Its against this awesome ice backdrop that tourists come from near and far to experience an unforgettable Antarctica holiday. The landscape is often freezing cold, harsh, yet somehow magical. Where there is so much ice its obvious that huge icebergs will be plentiful. They are dramatic, rugged and having a beauty all of their own. For those of you who enjoy adventure, have a good stomach for rough sea crossings and have desires of going where relatively very few other holiday makers will ever get to visit, then an Antarctica holiday could be your perfect destination. Visitors who go on an Antarctica holiday will get to see such things as historical sites, amazing wildlife, spectacular scenery and some of the active research bases.

Being situated where it is, Antarctica is not an easy place to get to. Most cruises and expeditions use ice breaking cruise ships. It will not be a cheap holiday as the cost of polar transport is very high. You will also need to get to the place where you will be boarding the ship. Most Antarctica cruises and expeditions originate from South America, Australia and New Zealand. Organised cruises and expeditions are run by companies who are specialists in the field. They take their responsibilities towards environmental issues very seriously in order to maintain and protect this pristine wilderness environment.

Another option is to take a scenic flight over Antarctica.

Antarctica Wildlife

Antarctica is one of the world's last frontiers, where the dramatic combines so well with grace and beauty. Unique among it all is Antarctica wildlife. It can be hard to imagine that somewhere within the blistering cold white mountains, sweeping glaciers and icebergs there exists an array of sea birds and marine mammals which thrive in such inhospitable conditions.

Minke Whales and Seals are common as are the Albatross, Gentoo, Chinstrap and other Penguins. As an example of how well some animals survive here, it's been estimated there are around 12 million Chinstrap Penguins, which have an average life span of 15 to 20 years. Chinstrap Penguins often live on large icebergs on the open ocean. They eat Fish and Krill by simply diving off the iceberg to catch their food then hop back on the iceberg again. Chinstrap Penguins are among the 17 species of penguins living in the Southern Hemisphere. Emperor Penguins are the largest of the Penguin family and endure the worst breeding conditions of any Bird. These Penguins never attempt to settle on land, they choose ice naturally formed in the sea to breed and raise their young. There are actually just 35 species of Seabirds living south of the Antarctic convergence.

The entire area around Antarctica has been declared an International Whale sanctuary. Among the Seals living there are Leopard Seals with their spotty coats which are known for being great hunters of the deep. Leopard Seals are one of the top predators in Antarctic waters. They attack and eat other Seals, Penguins and Fish, however about half their diet is Krill.

Even though it's calculated the Antarctic peninsula has experienced warming of 3 C over the past 50 years, its still an inhospitable place for plant, marine and animal survival. There are more than 1,200 species covering 50 different biological classes living in the Antarctica area. The Belgica Antarctica is considered the continent's largest terrestrial animal. The Belgica Antarctica is a species of flightless Midge Insect endemic to the continent of Antarctica. At just 2 to 6 mm long, its the largest purely terrestrial animal on the continent, as well as its only true insect.

To see amazing Antarctica wildlife up close, the best option would be to go on an Antarctica cruise.

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