Antarctica

Mapa ng mundo na pinapakita ang lokasyon ng Antartiko.

Isang satellite composite image ng Antartiko.

Ang Antartiko (Ingles: Antarctica, mula Griyego Ανταρκτική, salungat ng Artiko) ay isang kontinente na pinapalibutan ng Katimogang Dulo ng Daigdig. Ito ang pinakamalamig na lugar sa daigdig at halos natatakluban ng yelo ang kabuuan nito. Hindi dapat ipagkamali sa Artiko, na matatagpuan sa salungat na bahagi ng planeta na malapit sa Hilagang Dulo ng Mundo.

Bagaman mababakas noong unang panahon ang mga alamat at hinala tungkol sa isang Terra Australis ("Kanlurang Lupain"), naganap noong 1820 ang unang karaniwang tinatanggap na pagkita ng kontinente at noong 1821 ang unang napatunayang paglapag ng isang Rusong ekspedisyon nina Mikhail Lazarev at Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. Gayon man, isang mapa ni Admiral Piri Reis noong 1513 ang naglalaman ng isang katimogang kontinente na mayroong posibleng pagkahawig sa pampang sa Antarctica. (Tignan din Kasaysayan ng Antarctica.)

Sa isang lawak na 13,200,000 km², panglimang pinakamalaking kontinente ang Antarctica, pagkatapos ng Eurasya, Aprika, Hilagang Amerika, at Timog Amerika. Gayon man, ito ang may pinakamaliit na populasyon: tunay nga, wala itong pampalagiang populasyon. Ito rin ang kontinente na may pinakamataas na karaniwang altitud, at ang pinakamababang na humedad sa kahit anong kontinente sa Daigdig, gayon din ang pinakamababang karaniwang temperatura.

Itinakda ang .aq Internet ccTLD na code.

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  Baseng siyentipiko
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  Turismong lakad
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  Koleksyon ng mga selyo sa Antartiko
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  Tangway na glacier ng Antartiko

Mga kawing panlabas

• L.L. Ivanov et al, Topographic map of Livingston Island and Greenwich Island

Things to see and do in Antarctica Antarctic history

Follow in the footsteps of famous explorers such as Captain R.F. Scott by visiting historically important sites dotted throughout Antarctica. Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon

The hardcore among you can endure the Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon on King George Island and run in sub-zero conditions. Cruise

Take a cruise/ferry around some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Most trips depart from Ushuaia (in Argentina) or Punta Arenas (in Chile), and the passage from South America to the Antarctic Peninsula takes approximately two days. Deception Island

Take a dip in the thermal waters on Deception Island. The island you see today was formed by a volcanic eruption, which caused its peak to explode and left a huge caldera (crater) inside the island. Helicopter ride

Be one of the few to observe polar animals (including penguins and albatrosses) in their natural environment from the privileged views granted by a helicopter. Helicopters give the best access to emperor penguin colonies. Kayaking

Kayak up to icebergs for even closer views of the glistening blue-tinted ice and, weather permitting, you may even be able to camp on the ice. Kayaking trips are offered as part of some expedition voyages. Observation Hill

Climb Observation Hill, 30 minutes' ascent from nearby McMurdo station, which awards intrepid travellers with magnificent views of Mount Erebus and the Ross Ice Shelf, plus the 'Royal Societies' range across the ice; you will also find here the Memorial Cross erected in honour of Captain R.F. Scott and his polar party. Port Lockroy museum

Impress your friends by sending them a postcard from the only post office in Antarctica, at Port Lockroy, which used to be a British station and is now a museum to early Antarctic exploration. It is one of Antarctica's most popular attractions, designated as Historic Site number 61 under the Antarctic Treaty. Starry skies

Gaze up at the cosmos and delight in an exceptionally clear night full of stars. Wildlife

Take advantage of some of the best wildlife viewing in the world. Elephant and Weddell seals, emperor, chinstrap and Adelié penguins and humpback and minke whales are just a few of the regulars spotted in Antarctica.

• Antarctic Place-names Commission of Bulgaria