Antarctica Flashcards
Location?
Earth’s South Pole
Size?
- 14 million km2
- 50x the UK
- half of USA
Coldest Continent?
-80c, 98% covered in ice
Windiest Continent?
154 mph
Driest Continent?
2 inches of rain a year
Highest Continent?
2300 metres above sea level
Why is tourism increasing every year?
Publication and easier access
How many tourists were there in 1996?
7,000
How many tourists were there in 2008?
46,000
Why is Antarctica attractive?
- scenery
- icebergs
- wildlife(penguins, whales)
What are the impacts of tourism in Antarctica? (5)
- Trample plants
- Disturb wildlife
- Oil spillages e.g MS explorer 2007
- Introduce non native species
- Drop litter
Who are the tour operators of Antarctic tours?
IAATO
How many people are allowed ashore at once?
100
What is the maximum number of passengers allowed on board?
500
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
international agreement designed to protect and preserve the area
What do tour operators have to follow?
A code of conduct
Who ensures the rules are followed?
onboard observers
Special guidelines to follow? (4)
- No litter can be left behind
- Permit needed in some activities
- Some off limits areas(special protected areas)
- Wildlife cannot be disturbed
Why is Antarctica demilitarized? (3)
- For peaceful purposes
- Promote scientific cooperation
- Bo disputes over territorial sovereignty
What does the Antarctic treaty ensure?
- demilitarised-peaceful purposes
- promote scientific cooperation
- no disputes over territorial sovereignty
What is the history of Antarctica?
Caption scott
