Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest …

Jun 22, 2026 · Antarctica, the world’s southernmost continent, is almost wholly covered by an ice sheet and is about 5.5 million square miles (14.2 million square km) in size.

The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica, the Kerguelen Plateau, and other island territories located on the Antarctic Plate or south of the Antarctic Convergence.

Antarctica is the only continent with no permanent human habitation. There are, however, permanent human settlements, where scientists and support staff live for part of the year on a rotating basis.

Mar 4, 2026 · Explore Earth's coldest continent with the latest Antarctica news, articles and features from Live Science.

Nov 13, 2025 · Antarctica explained—fast facts, record cold, ice trends, wildlife, and how the Antarctic Treaty protects a continent devoted to peace and science.

May 18, 2026 · Though Antarctica is really, really chilly, it is considered a desert because it receives very little rain or snowfall. The small amount of snow that does fall does not melt but builds up over …

Jun 21, 2026 · Learn about the Antarctic Treaty System and its history. Learn about weather and climate on the icy continent. Learn about the geography and geology of the icy continent. A handy list of …

Aug 9, 2023 · Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent on Earth. It is almost completely covered in ice. Antarctica covers the Earth’s South Pole. What Is Antarctica Like? Antarctica is the coldest place on …

Mar 25, 2025 · A team of international scientists compiled decades of data to create a map showing the topography of Antarctica with the ice removed.