Ocean Realm

Antarctica, also known as the White Continent, is a virtually uninhabited, little explored region of the world. The land in this southernmost point of the globe is owned by no one and is available for anyone to experience who is willing to travel the distance to see it. The Antarctica that you see today is pretty similar to the Antarctica that existed nearly 30 million years ago, without human hands damaging the terrain in any way. This continent is home to a few test laboratories as well as numerous wildlife and no one else. The pristine beauty of Antarctica is the primary reason that this location is slowly becoming a vacation hot spot today.

The entire continent of Antarctica is about twice the size of and almost completely fits within the Antarctic Circle. The continent is surrounded by water on all sides, so travel to the region is typically done by air. The good news is cruise liners have recently found out about the mystique of Antarctica and it can now be reached via various cruise ships that offer trips there. A film of ice as well as snow coat the continent landscape and averages around 6000 feet in thickness. This is nearly 90 percent of all ice found earth.

Other countries keep an eye on the extent of global warming by examining the icecaps and masses in Antarctica. Antarctica iceberg activity is closely observed by many scientists to check for the presence of climate change. They also observe the wildlife of the region, which is surprisingly abundant given the rough terrain and the extreme climate conditions. Animal numbers increase and decrease based on what food is available and the ice and water proportions.

Antarctica measures over 7000 feet and is undoubtedly the highest of the continents. Sub zero temperatures are common to Antarctica but what you might not be aware of is that it also has a super arid climate. Precipitation in this region within a year is never excessive which is similar to the situation of a desert. This bit of info however has ceased to be true because recent snowfall stats have gone up as a result of climate changes. Scientific professionals also believe that climate change is behind the recent breaks in the arctic continent that have led to their disappearance with two occurring five years apart in 1995 and 2000.

Many wild animals found a home in Antarctica and among them are different seals and whales and also penguins. Antarctica has also given a home to hulking squids. Spring is when the food of humpbacks and orcas is most abundant so tourists are likely to get a chance to see some during this season. This is the perfect time for penguin chicks to hatch too. The scene overhead usually features several Albatrosses while the one below has Weddell or Leopard seals goofing around on the cold shore.

The continent of Antarctica is a place to obtain serenity and peace. Scientific professionals can now share what they have uncovered about the White Continent because of the research facilities that were put up on the site. As new info on Antarctica become available the people wanting to visit the place also grows too. An increasing number of individuals want to tour Antarctica which is why cruise companies have introduced more trip schedules to the continent.

People who want to visit Antarctica and experience firsthand its unique scenery can easily reserve a vacation. Most cruise ship firms have their own take on an Antarctica trip so there is a wide selection for your consideration. It is important to note that most ships that cruise to this region are smaller and the travel window is more limited that it is with other destinations. If you picked Antarctica for your next holiday out then better buy tickets early.

Learn about Great Antarctica tours. Detailed antarctica travel resources can be found there.