Antarctica

Imagine a large fascinating area, white in color, covered with ice, temperature as low as 15 degree Celsius, with no people and greenery around... What a vision! But is there such a place on Earth? Yes definitely! This place is non other than Antarctica, situated in the southernmost part of the globe. This continent was discovered by a Russian team comprising Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev and Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820. But earlier, James Cook was close to Antarctica before retreating back during his voyage in January 1773. Even before the discovery of this continent, Europeans believed that a continent named Terra Australis existed to the south of the globe. It was believed that Terra Australis balanced the lands to its north. 98% of Antarctica is covered with ice. There is no native population in Antarctica, but research teams from various countries stay there to study the huge continent. In order to preserve Antarctica's ecosystem, the Antarctic Treaty was signed by 46 nations in 1959. Military activities are strictly prohibited in Antarctica. There is much more to know about this ravishing continent.