Antarctica

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Capital data for Antarctica is not available.

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GDP data for Antarctica is currently being loaded.

Antarctica covers 14,000,000 km² (5,405,428 sq mi).

Antarctica is an island nation and shares no land borders.

The best months to visit Antarctica are January, February, October, November, December, based on climate data for the capital.

Antarctica has no permanent residents or indigenous population. Current estimates show that the seasonal population ranges from approximately 1,000 individuals during the winter to about 5,000 people during the peak summer research season. This group is primarily composed of international scientists, researchers, and support staff living at specialized research stations.

Antarctica does not have a formal economy, GDP, or official unemployment figures because it is not a sovereign nation. Human activity is largely limited to scientific research funded by national governments and a growing tourism industry that brings more than 100,000 visitors annually. Commercial fishing for krill and finfish is the only major extractive activity permitted.

No single country owns Antarctica; instead, it is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, which designates the continent as a natural reserve for peace and science. While 7 nations have historical territorial claims, the treaty effectively freezes these claims to ensure international cooperation. Decisions are made by consultative parties through regular meetings.

Antarctica contains vast deposits of iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, and coal, as well as potential hydrocarbon reserves. However, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty prohibits all commercial mineral extraction. Currently, the most exploited resources are marine life, including krill and various finfish found in the Southern Ocean.

Antarctica covers a total area of approximately 14,000,000 km² (5,405,430 sq mi), making it the 5th-largest continent on Earth. It is nearly double the size of Australia and larger than the combined area of the United States and Mexico. Almost 98% of this landmass is covered by thick glacial ice.

Antarctica has no capital city, no official language, and no central government. Because the residents are temporary staff from many different nations, English is frequently used as a common language, though the primary language spoken at any given research station depends on the operating country. Individual stations provide basic municipal services for their specific populations.

The highest point in Antarctica is Vinson Massif, which reaches an elevation of 4,892 m (16,050 ft). Located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, it is a prominent destination for extreme mountaineers. In contrast, the lowest point is the Bentley Subglacial Trench, which sits at -2,540 m (-8,333 ft) below sea level.