Can you breathe in Antarctica?

This makes Antarctica the highest continent in the world and means there is less effectively available oxygen to breathe in Antarctica than on any other continent. This places the South Pole, and most of the Antarctic Plateau at high altitude.

What makes up the western hemisphere?

Western Hemisphere, part of Earth comprising North and South America and the surrounding waters. Longitudes 20° W and 160° E are often considered its boundaries. According to this scheme, the Western Hemisphere includes not only North and South America but also portions of Africa, Europe, Antarctica, and Asia.

Is the South Pole the coldest place on Earth?

Antarctica is the coldest place on earth. It is also the windiest, driest, and highest continent. The South Pole is not the coldest place in Antarctica. The coldest temperature recorded in Antarctica was -89.6°C at Vostok station in 1983.

Who owns the Antarctic?

People from all over the world undertake research in Antarctica, but Antarctica is not owned by any one nation. Antarctica is governed internationally through the Antarctic Treaty system. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 by 12 countries who had scientists in and around Antarctica at the time.

What is not allowed on Antarctica?

Sometimes, it’s something as simple as a pebble from a beach. However, in Antarctica, taking anything is banned. This includes rocks, feathers, bones, eggs and any kind of biological material including traces of soil. Taking anything man-made is also completely banned, as some might actually be research equipment.

What is the most dangerous part of Antarctica?

Thwaites is the most worrying glacier in Antarctica because of its size – it is unusually wide, presenting a 75-mile front of ice to the ocean, without any rocks or mountains to hem it in. This means very large volumes of ice could break off and flow uninhibited through this region into the sea.

Why do so few people live in Antarctica?

Due to its remoteness, inhospitable weather conditions and lack of natural land bridges connecting it to other continents, Antarctica has spent the last 35 million years in relative silence and seclusion. Prior to its discovery in 1820, no humans had ever set eyes on this icy continent.