Antarctica
Territory · Antarctica, Antarctica
Antarctica is a territory located in the Antarctica region. With an area of 13,720,000 square kilometers and a population of about 1,100 people as of 2009, it offers unique geographical and scientific landmarks.
Highlights
This reference covers 10 sights across the territory. The landscape is defined by substantial peaks and geological features, including Mount Sidley, Mount Tyree, and Observation Hill. The natural site of Blood Falls is also present. Human activity is represented by various research stations and structures, such as Scott Base, Zucchelli Station, and St. Kliment Ohridski Base. Religious and historical points of interest include the Chapel of the Snows, Trinity Church, and Port Jeanne d'Arc.
When to go
The climate at the capital is consistently frigid. January and December are the warmest months, with daily highs reaching -28 °C or -29 °C and lows of -30 °C. From April through October, temperatures are severe, with highs ranging from -45 °C to -51 °C and lows dropping as far as -55 °C. Precipitation is minimal year-round, with only a few days of rain recorded annually.
Practical notes
Antarctica operates across multiple time zones, specifically UTC-03:00, UTC±00:00, UTC+03:00, UTC+05:00, UTC+07:00, UTC+08:00, UTC+10:00, and UTC+12:00. The international calling code is +672. The territory uses the .aq top-level domain.
Top sights in Antarctica
Weather by month
The warmest month is January, with an average high of -28 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -28 | -36 | -45 | -49 | -49 | -50 | -51 | -51 | -51 | -45 | -35 | -29 |
| Average low, °C | -30 | -39 | -48 | -52 | -53 | -54 | -55 | -55 | -55 | -48 | -37 | -30 |
| Rainfall, mm | 7 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Rainy days | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Antarctica (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi
- Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base
- Port Couvreux
- Shirreff Base