Antarctica provides our world with stunning sites like the glacier ice formations, rugged coastlines, snowy landscapes, volcanic islands and stunning mountain ranges. The geography of Antarctica is centered around the South Pole and south of the Antarctic Circle. During the Southern Hemisphere summer months of December, January and February, the sun never sets....there is continuous daylight.
The continent of Antarctica is 1.5 times the size of the United States (photo right). Antarctica belongs to no one. No single country owns Antarctica. Instead, Antarctica is governed by a group of nations in a one-of-a-kind international partnership called the Antarctic Treaty, signed by representatives of seven countries: Argentina, Austraia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. These countries drew lines around their proposed territories, dividing Antarctica like a pie chart. The United States and most other countries do not recognize these claims. It should be noted that countries have placed their scientific study facilities within their claimed parts of the pie. Other countries have constructed research facilities within the areas claimed.
Antarctica has no official flag, since it isn't a nation nor is it ruled by a single government. The most widely used flag is a plain white map of the continent on a pale blue background that symbolizes neutrality. The flag was flown on the Antarctic continent for the first time in 2002.
The continent of Antarctica is capped by an inland ice sheet containing about 90% of the world's total surface fresh water. The ice sheet is so heavy that it has pushed the land below sea level in places.
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Emperor Penguins
Note the little one on the right wanting something! |
There are no polar bears in Antarctica. Their natural habitat is the Northern Arctic. However, the Emperor Penguin is found only in Antarctica. It is the largest of all living penguin species, with a black head, chin and throat, with broad yellow patches on each side of the head.
Emperors can swim underwater for up to 22 minutes. They can slowly waddle across the ice for up to 75 miles. The climate of Antarctica is the coldest on Earth. The average temperature of the interior is about -71 degrees F. The coast is warmer with average temps about 14 degrees F.
In 1980, a tiny emperor penguin made international zoological history, The chick was the first to be hatched and raised by its parents inside the Penguin Encounter at Sea World, San Diego, then the world's only successful emperor penguin breeding facility outside of Antarctica. In 1982, the first hand-raised emperor penguin hatched. Since then, more than 20 emperor penguins have been hatched and raised at Sea World.
Until today, I did not know that we humans have what is called The Penguin Rule: The art of navigating 'icebergs' in conversations and not offending people. It's the practice of being aware about the many subtle meanings that seemingly casual words might imply. It's based on the idea that people interpret words differently, and that these differences can lead to misunderstandings. The rule begs us to recognize that personal experiences and perspectives affect how we interpret language. The rule is a guide for navigating challenges in life, such as adapting to change, persevering and maintaining balance.
If Antarctica were music, it would be Mozart.
If it were art, it would be Michelangelo.
