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 ﻿ * Antarctica *

** Land/History of Antarctica **

Antarctica’s land is almost completely covered in ice and snow. Only high mountains and other rocky surfaces can be seen above the ice, but underneath it is a whole other story. Under the ice Antarctica has the same features as any other continent; lakes, rivers, mountains, and volcanoes in fact Antarctica once was covered in tropical plants. When Antarctica broke away from the super continent of Pangaea then Gondwanaland it drifted away and eventually became covered by ice. The time when this happened is unknown some scientists say about 6000 years ago. There was a time during human civilization that it was not covered by ice. A map drawn by a famous Turkish named Piri Reis admiral in about 1513 proves as such.

** Flag of Antarctica ** . Antarctica has a flag, the flag is a picture of Antarctica’s shape surrounded by water. Antarctica was found by Captain James Cook when he was crossing the Antarctic Circle on January 17, 1773

This is a cool picture of Antarctica’s Flag

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**Is Antarctica a Country? **

No, Antarctica is not a country because it doesn’t have a ruler, government, a permanent population. Only scientists go there to discover fossils and other information

** Fossils in Antarctica ** Finding fossils in Antarctica is hard work. Very few people come to look out there so new specimens are often found. The fossils in and around Antarctica also support evidence that it was once a much warmer continent then it is today. Scientist have found a crustacean fossil that would only be found in a warmer climate. ** Size of Antarctica ** Out of the seven continents Antarctica is the 5th largest in size. With its surface area about 14.2 sq. km or 5.5 sq. miles (in the summer) miles in the summer it puts it above both Europe and Australia. However, in the winter Antarctica doubles in size due to ice build up around the coasts. media type="custom" key="9020818"