Antarctica

The History of Antarctica1772 – Captain Cook sails inside the Antarctica circle

1819 – First Russian expedition to Antarctica

1838 – First American expedition.

1839 – British explorers reach the Ross ice Shelf

1897 – First expedition to winter inside the Antarctic circle.

1911 – 14th December Norwegian Roald Amundsen reaches the South Pole

1956 – First South Pole research station set up.

Antarctica Today

• Why it’s important

– The world’s last great wilderness

– It is very beautiful

– Unspoiled so a great site for scientific study

– Symbol of how countries can work in harmony

ThreatsClick topic to learn more…

Global warming Mining

Fishing Tourists

Effects of Global Warming

Release of Chemicals into the atmosphere

Mining

Fishing

The relatively few species of wildlife depend on plankton and krill which thrive in the polar sea.

Over fishing of the krill can lead to the breakdown of this food chain and destroy this fragile ecosystem.

Tourism