Statistics Antarctica 
Antarctica in the World
Antarctica - Introduction 2010
top of pageBackground: Speculation over the existence of a 'southern land' was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands or an area of ocean. Several exploration 'firsts' were achieved in the early 20th century but generally the area saw little human activity. Following World War II however there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations camps and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959 it entered into force in 1961.
Area
Total: 14 million km²
Land: 14 million km² (280,000 km² ice-free 13.72 million km² ice-covered) (est.)
Note: fifth-largest continent following Asia Africa North America and South America but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe
Comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Maritime claims: Australia Chile and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims but like the claims themselves these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Climate: severe low temperatures vary with latitude elevation and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing
Terrain: about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock with average elevations between 2000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land Wilkes Land the Antarctic Peninsula area and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Elevation
Extremes lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 m
Extremes highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m
Extremes note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Natural resources: iron ore chromium copper gold nickel platinum and other minerals and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill finfish and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Natural hazards: katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf
Geography
Note: the coldest windiest highest (on average) and driest continent; during summer more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable
Antarctica - People 2010
top of pagePopulation: no indigenous inhabitants but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations
Note: 29 nations all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); the population doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,400 in summer to 1100 in winter; in addition approximately 1000 personnel including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population - 4,490 total; Argentina 667 Australia 200 Australia and Romania jointly 13 Belgium 20 Brazil 40 Bulgaria 18 Chile 359 China 90 Czech Republic 20 Ecuador 26 Finland 20 France 125 France and Italy jointly 60 Germany 90 India 65 Italy 102 Japan 125 South Korea 70 NZ 85 Norway 44 Peru 28 Poland 40 Russia 429 South Africa 80 Spain 50 Sweden 20 Ukraine 24 UK 217 US 1293 Uruguay 70 (2008-2009); winter (June-August) station population - 1106 total; Argentina 176 Australia 62 Brazil 12 Chile 114 China 29 France 26 France and Italy jointly 13 Germany 9 India 25 Japan 40 South Korea 18 NZ 10 Norway 7 Poland 12 Russia 148 South Africa 10 Ukraine 12 UK 37 US 337 Uruguay 9 (2009); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations - 40 total; Argentina 6 Australia 3 Brazil 1 Chile 6 China 2 France 1 France and Italy jointly 1 Germany 1 India 1 Japan 1 South Korea 1 NZ 1 Norway 1 Poland 1 Russia 5 South Africa 1 Ukraine 1 UK 2 US 3 Uruguay 1 (2009); a range of seasonal-only (summer) stations camps and refuges - Argentina Australia Belgium Bulgaria Brazil Chile China Czech Republic Ecuador Finland France Germany India Italy Japan South Korea New Zealand Norway Peru Poland Romania (with Australia) Russia South Africa Spain Sweden Ukraine UK US and Uruguay (2008-2009); in addition during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps summer-long temporary facilities and mobile traverses in support of research (May 2009 est.)
Environment
Current issues: in 1998 NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002 significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Antarctica - Government 2010
top of pageGovernment type:
Antarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic region is governed by a system known as the Antarctic Treaty System; the system includes: 1. the Antarctic Treaty signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961 which establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica 2. Recommendations and Measures adopted at meetings of Antarctic Treaty countries 3. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972) 4. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980) and 5. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991); the 33rd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Punta del Este Uruguay in May 2010; at these periodic meetings decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; by April 2010 there were 48 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 20 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina Australia Chile France NZ Norway and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium Brazil (1975/1983) Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985) Ecuador (1987/1990) Finland (1984/1989) Germany (1979/1981) India (1983/1983) Italy (1981/1987) Japan South Korea (1986/1989) Netherlands (1967/1990) Peru (1981/1989) Poland (1961/1977) Russia South Africa Spain (1982/1988) Sweden (1984/1988) Ukraine (1992/2004) Uruguay (1980/1985) and the US; non-consultative members with year of accession in parentheses are - Austria (1987) Belarus (2006) Canada (1988) Colombia (1989) Cuba (1984) Czech Republic (1962/1993) Denmark (1965) Estonia (2001) Greece (1987) Guatemala (1991) Hungary (1984) North Korea (1987) Monaco (2008) Papua New Guinea (1981) Portugal (2010) Romania (1971) Slovakia (1962/1993) Switzerland (1990) Turkey (1996) and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993;
claimant nations are - Argentina Australia Chile France NZ Norway and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium Brazil (1975/1983) Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985) Ecuador (1987/1990) Finland (1984/1989) Germany (1979/1981) India (1983/1983) Italy (1981/1987) Japan South Korea (1986/1989) Netherlands (1967/1990) Peru (1981/1989) Poland (1961/1977) Russia South Africa Spain (1982/1988) Sweden (1984/1988) Ukraine (1992/2004) Uruguay (1980/1985) and the US; non-consultative members with year of accession in parentheses are - Austria (1987) Belarus (2006) Canada (1988) Colombia (1989) Cuba (1984) Czech Republic (1962/1993) Denmark (1965) Estonia (2001) Greece (1987) Guatemala (1991) Hungary (1984) North Korea (1987) Monaco (2008) Papua New Guinea (1981) Portugal (2010) Romania (1971) Slovakia (1962/1993) Switzerland (1990) Turkey (1996) and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993;
Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity such as weapons testing is prohibited but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize dispute or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access including aerial observation to any area and may inspect all stations installations and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or ultimately by the ICJ; Articles 12 13 14 - deal with upholding interpreting and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments; a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora 3) waste disposal and waste management 4) prevention of marine pollution 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires Argentina
claimant nations are - Argentina Australia Chile France NZ Norway and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium Brazil (1975/1983) Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985) Ecuador (1987/1990) Finland (1984/1989) Germany (1979/1981) India (1983/1983) Italy (1981/1987) Japan South Korea (1986/1989) Netherlands (1967/1990) Peru (1981/1989) Poland (1961/1977) Russia South Africa Spain (1982/1988) Sweden (1984/1988) Ukraine (1992/2004) Uruguay (1980/1985) and the US; non-consultative members with year of accession in parentheses are - Austria (1987) Belarus (2006) Canada (1988) Colombia (1989) Cuba (1984) Czech Republic (1962/1993) Denmark (1965) Estonia (2001) Greece (1987) Guatemala (1991) Hungary (1984) North Korea (1987) Monaco (2008) Papua New Guinea (1981) Portugal (2010) Romania (1971) Slovakia (1962/1993) Switzerland (1990) Turkey (1996) and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993;
Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity such as weapons testing is prohibited but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize dispute or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access including aerial observation to any area and may inspect all stations installations and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or ultimately by the ICJ; Articles 12 13 14 - deal with upholding interpreting and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments; a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora 3) waste disposal and waste management 4) prevention of marine pollution 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires Argentina
Legal system: Antarctica is administered through annual meetings - known as Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings - which include consultative member nations non-consultative member nations observer organizations and expert organizations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; more generally access to the Antarctic Treaty area that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty; note - US law including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals such as murder may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example the Antarctic Conservation Act 16 U.S.C. section 2,401 et seq. provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541 the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 as amended in 1996 requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify in advance the Office of Oceans Room 5,805 Department of State Washington DC 20,520 which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information contact Permit Office Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation Arlington Virginia 22,230; telephone: (703) 292-8,030 or visit its website at www.nsf.gov
Antarctica - Economy 2010
top of pageEconomy overview: Scientific undertakings rather than commercial pursuits are the predominate human activity in Antarctica. Fishing off the coast and tourism both based abroad account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries targeting three main species - Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides and D. mawsoni) mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari) and krill (Euphausia superba) - reported landing 141,147 metric tons in 2008-09 (1 July - 30 June). (Estimated fishing is from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area.) Unregulated fishing particularly of Patagonian toothfish (also known as Chilean sea bass) is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 37,858 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2008-09 Antarctic summer down from the 46,265 visitors in 2007-2008 (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO); this does not include passengers on overflights). Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer.
Antarctica - Energy 2010
top of pageAntarctica - Communication 2010
top of pageTelephones
Main lines in use: 0; note - information for US bases only (2001)
Main lines in use rank: 231
Telephone system
General assessment: local systems at some research stations
Domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations
International: country code - none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations ships aircraft and most field parties (2007)
Antarctica - Military 2010
top of pageAntarctica - Transportation 2010
top of pageAirports: 26 (2010)
Rank: 126
With unpaved runways total: 26
With unpaved runways over 3047 m: 5
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 5
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 9
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Heliports: 53
Note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2010)
Ports and terminals: McMurdo Station; most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities
Antarctica - Transnational issues 2010
top of pageDisputes international: the Antarctic Treaty freezes and most states do not recognize the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina Australia Chile France New Zealand Norway and the United Kingdom (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claims; no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; the International Whaling Commission created a sanctuary around the entire continent to deter catches by countries claiming to conduct scientific whaling; Australia has established a similar preserve in the waters around its territorial claim
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