The seventh continent in the world, the base of the globe, the windiest, coldest and driest continent on earth – Antarctica certainly lives up to its nickname, 'The Ice'.Â
Most of Antarctica fits within the Antarctic Circle – a line of latitude sitting at around 66.5° south of the equator. All places inside of this circle experience periods of 24-hour daylight during the summer solstice, and 24 hours of night during the winter solstice. Antarctica's ice sheet is one of the two polar ice caps of the earth and covers 98% of Antarctica, including the South Pole.
Moving further out, the continent of Antarctica makes up most of the region of Antarctica. The region encompasses Antarctica, anything falling inside the Antarctic Circle and a lot of the stuff inside the wider Antarctic Convergence – a seasonally changing line of latitude which marks where the icy Antarctic waters meet the milder waters of the sub-Antarctic. This convergence line is considered the outer limits of what is known as 'the Antarctic' and where our Intrepid Antarctica trips are based.
Wait, so what's the difference between Antarctica and the Antarctic?
Antarctica is the continent – the land mass almost entirely covered in ice. The Antarctic is the region – the south polar zones including the seas and some outlying islands.
If this is still all a bit confusing, don't worry – it is tricky to understand. Picture this: if you're looking at one of those spinning model globes of the Earth, use a pencil to point to the bottom of the globe and you'll be pointing at Antarctica. Then, move the pencil north just a bit and spin the globe until you've drawn a (not so perfect) circular line around the land mass of Antarctica. That there, inside the circle, is the rough area of the Antarctic region.Â
What country is Antarctica in?
Read more about possible landing sites in the Antarctic
Click here to read more Antarctica FAQs
Our tours in Antarctica
14 Days
From
9990
Set sail for the trip of a lifetime – a 14-day journey on board the Ocean Endeavour,...
11 Days
From
7120
Follow the whales of Antarctica as they migrate south on this 11-day expedition cruise,...
11 Days
From
6230
Experience the magic of the Antarctic Peninsula and its islands aboard the Ocean...
14 Days
From
9600
Cross the Antarctic Circle with World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF-Australia) whale...
14 Days
From
9053
Experience the rare opportunity to explore both the eastern and western sides of the...
21 Days
From
18900
Embark on a 21-day Intrepid expedition including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia...
11 Days
From
8160
This is one Christmas you’ll never forget – journey to Antarctica on board the Ocean...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
11 Days
From
6715
Set off on an 11-day expedition on board the Ocean Endeavour, revealing the landscapes...
11 Days
From
7800
Join World Wildlife Fund Australia (WWF-Australia) scientists on an 11-day expedition...
21 Days
From
12495
Spot seals, whales and albatross aboard the Ocean Endeavour. Retrace the steps of...
23 Days
From
17055
This trip is an Antarctica expedition like no other. Try wildlife photography and see...
12 Days
From
6715
Witness Antarctic Peninsula whales on this epic journey at sea. Spot seals and penguins...
