Antarctica

Discover Antarctica

Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is a place of timeless allure and geological wonder. While it may not have a human history akin to ancient civilizations, its story is told through the ages by the ice itself.

Antarctica's history with humans began relatively recently in the early 19th century when explorers like James Cook and Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen sighted its icy shores. The heroic age of exploration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw adventurers like Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott pushing the limits of human endurance in their quests to reach the South Pole.

However, it was in the mid-20th century that Antarctica's geopolitical significance grew as a symbol of international cooperation. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961, established Antarctica as a continent for peace and science, setting aside territorial claims and promoting scientific research.

Antarctica's icy veneer conceals vast secrets about Earth's past climate, and it holds a trove of information for understanding our planet's future. Today, scientists from around the world conduct vital research in this pristine environment, unraveling mysteries that have far-reaching implications for the entire planet.