Mongi Bellili

Preview

• Introduction of Antarctica.• The discovery of Antarctica.• The race to the South Pole. • Antarctica today.

Introduction of Antarctica

• Fifth-largest continent.• About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice.

Introduction of Antarctica

• Include animals (penguins, seals), plants (algae, tundra) and bacteria.

The discovery of Antarctica

• In 1773, James Cook (British) came within 75 miles of the coast.

• In 1820, Von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev (Russia) reached a point within 20 miles.

• In 1839, Charles Wilkes (United States) confimed the discovery of an Antarctic continent.

The race to the South Pole

• In 1902, Robert Scott (British) and Ernest Shackleton (Irish), reached 82° S.

• In 1909, Shackleton reached 88° S.• In 1911, the Norwegian Roald Amundsen was

the first human to reach the South Pole.

The race to the South Pole

• Roald Amundsen.• The permanent scientific base at the pole bears

their names.

Antarctica today

• Politics (claims).• Economy (fishing, tourism, natural resources).• Activities (scientific stations).• The environment.