BekahSummer

// Antarctica  //

Population
The population in Antarctica is 1000 peope to 4000 people. In the winter the population is 1000 and in summer it is 4000. There are currently no permanent residents in antarctica. Check it out [|population of antarctica]

Plants
There are only 150 lichens, 30 mosses, some fungi, and 1 liverwort. The lichens are the best adapted to the enviroment. Mosses have also become well adapted to Antarctica's harsh weather. There are more than 300 kinds of algae here.The only two vasculer, pertaining to vessels which transport fluid in plants, plants that are native to Antarctica are the Antarctic hair grass and cushion-forming pearlwort. These plants are located somewhere around 56 degrees south.[|plants of antarctica]

**Glaciers** Did you know that there are more than 300 glaciers that were melting since 2003 and the rate of melting has increased 12%.personaly i think the plates are pushing Antarctica closer to the equator, heres why I think that. before 2003 the glaciers were not melting, now they are, conincidence?

Lakes
Two large lakes and many small lakes are in Antarctica and there names are Lake Sovet Skaya and Lake Vostok! They are very interesting to learn about because if you go to this website, you will sees it from a scientists view about these facinating lakes. [|lakes in Antarctica]

Who owns Antarctica
Who owns Antarctica? No one does it has no permanent population and is only governed by a single government. Since then there is no one owning Antarctica because of the less causes like population. Also 45 nations signed a treaty to try an own the 7 reigens of Antarctica. the treaty was signed on Dec. 1, 1959 and was entered into force on June 23, 1961.

Military
Antarctica has no military because the treaty that they made. The treaty states that it prohibats any type of military nature. They can't even have any military bases or train. They can't even have any weapons of war because 43-45 nations have signed an Arctic treaty that states no one can claim Antarctica for 1 1\2 years yet.

Antarctica's flag
[|Flags]] Antarctica has a flag that has the continent on it. It looks kind of like Antarctica in the Pacific Ocean.

Transportation
Antarctica has 26 airports and all of the runways are unpaved. There are only 56 heliports and only a small amount of of terminals. === ===

Location
Antarctica is located at 90 degrees south and 0 degrees east. It is south of the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Indian oceans. It is in the Arctic Circle and south of all the continents.

HEI
Huamns affect this enviromant when they visit here. When they come they do more than just leave footprints and take pictures. Some of the species have become extinct or are on the verge of extinction because of tourism.The sewage has been dumed in the ocean and the garbage that is left behind does not decompose.[|HEI]

People
Captian Cook was the first person to cross arctic circle in 1773, but Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshuasen was the first one to spot land on this continent in 1820. Even though Mr.Gottlieb von Bellingshuasen saw it first, John Davis was the first person to land on it a year later in 1821.

Size
Antarctica is bigger than Australia. They are closer in size than any other continent with Antarctica.

10 Fun Facts!!!

 * Antarctica is one of the driest continents receiving a mere sprinkling of rain and snow each year!
 * Antarctica gets its name from the Greek language. Antarctica means the opposite of the arctic!
 * Antarctica, not the Sahara Desert, is technically the largest desert in the world, but the desert is ice instead of snow!
 * The ice sheet that covers the continent is about 1.5 miles thick on average, and holds 90percent of the fresh water on the planet in the form of ice!
 * The ice sheet was dramatically melting. In 2002, over 1,000 square miles broke off the continent!
 * If Antarctica melted, The earth would be under water!
 * Only 98% of this continent is covered with ice!
 * Antarctica is the 5th largest continent, but has the smallest population!
 * Antarctica is the windiest place on earth.
 * Antarctica has the highest elevation on average due to the ice.