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