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Antarctica is frequently referred to as the secret continent as there are many aspects about the region that man knows little about at present. Antarctica is covered in a blanket of almost sheer ice and is located at the foot of the earth in the southern hemisphere. The landmass is equal to 14 million sq km. The terrain is represented by Queen Maud Land in the North, Wilkes Land in the east, Marie Byrd Land and the Ross Ice Shelf in the south and the Ellsworth Highland in the west. The South Pole in the centre at a height of 2800m is world famous and has been the expedition destination for many intrepid explorers for generations. The highest point of elevation is Vinson Massif at a height of 4897m. The oceans that surround Antarctica include the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. The coastline of Antarctica measures 17,968 km. It is well documented that Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable places on earth and indeed the only population is comprised of researchers and biologists. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent. In the summertime, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period.
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