# 10 Fascinating Facts About Antarctica You Never Knew
Antarctica is an amazing continent that holds some of the most unique and captivating facts that you may not know about. From its extreme weather conditions to the peculiar living conditions of its inhabitants, Antarctica has always been a source of fascination for scientists and adventurers alike.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about Antarctica that will blow your mind:
## 1. Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent in the world
With an area of 14.2 million square kilometers, Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent in the world after Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. The continent is twice the size of Australia, but only 2% of its surface is ice-free.
## 2. Antarctica is uninhabited
Antarctica, unlike other continents, has no indigenous human population. Only researchers and scientists who are there to study the continent’s unique features stay there temporarily.
## 3. The coldest temperature on earth was recorded in Antarctica
On July 21, 1983, the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -128.6F (-89.2C). This record was set at the Soviet Union’s Vostok Research Station in Antarctica, making it the coldest place on Earth.
## 4. Antarctica is the biggest freshwater reserve in the world
Around 90% of the Earth’s fresh w water resources are found in the continent of Antarctica. The Southern Ocean that surrounds the continent is the largest and deepest oceanic system and contains massive quantities of freshwater ice.
## 5. Antarctica has two active volcanoes
Antarctica has two active volcanoes; Mount Erebus and Deception Island. Mount Erebus, located on Ross Island, is also the continent’s most active volcano.
## 6. Penguins are not indigenous to Antarctica
Though we commonly associate penguins with the Cold War because of their precarious lives on ice, they are not indigenous to the continent. Penguins can be found all over the Southern hemisphere, including South Africa and South America.
## 7. Antarctica’s ice sheet is melting at an alarming rate
The temperature on the Antarctic Peninsula is rising faster than anywhere else in the world. The continent’s ice sheet is melting at a rate of approximately 129 billion tons per year. Scientists are concerned that the melting ice could increase sea levels significantly.
## 8. Antarctica is home to the largest desert in the world.
Antarctica is classified as a desert because it has little to no precipitation. The continent is the largest desert on Earth and is also the driest place on earth, receiving less than 51 millimeters of precipitation each year.
## 9. The sun does not set during the Antarctic summer
During the summer, the sun does not set in Antarctica. On the opposite side of the year, during the winter, it does not rise.
## 10. The Southern Ocean has its own unique species of animal
The Southern Ocean, which surrounds Antarctica, has its own unique species of animal that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. The ocean is home to a wide variety of animals, such as whales, seals, birds, and fish.
In conclusion, Antarctica has some of the most awe-inspiring and interesting facts that you may not know about. From its extreme weather conditions to the peculiar living conditions of its inhabitants, the continent is a source of fascination for scientists and adventurers alike. Antarctica is an amazing place that has always been alluring and will continue to dazzle us with its wonder.
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