Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is truly a land of wonders, here are seven unique facts about this icy landmass.
1
Antarctica holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth, a bone-chilling -128.6°F (-89.2°C).
2
Despite being covered in ice, Antarctica is classified as a desert because of its low precipitation levels.
3
Underneath Antarctica's thick ice sheet lies a hidden landscape of mountains, valleys, and lakes.
4
While there are 17 species of penguins worldwide, only six species are found exclusively in Antarctica like Adélie, emperor, chinstrap, gentoo, macaroni.
5
Antarctica is home to a variety of life forms, including seals, whales, krill, and various species of birds, besides penguins.
6
The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959, designates the continent as a scientific preserve and prohibits military activity, mineral mining, and nuclear testing.
7
Due to its location near the South Pole, Antarctica experiences extreme variations in daylight throughout the year.