What is the terrain and geography like in Antarctica?
Geographic Location | Antarctic Region |
Total Area |
5,405,400 Square Miles 14,000,000 Square Kilometers |
Land Area |
5,405,400 Square Miles 14,000,000 Square Kilometers |
Coastline |
11,165 Miles 17,968 Kilometers |
Geographic Coordinates | 90 00 S, 0 00 E |
Terrain | About 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula |
Highest Point | 4,897 Meters |
Highest Point Location | Vinson Massif 4,897 m |
Lowest Point | -2,540 Meters |
Lowest Point Location | Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m |
Natural Resources | Iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries |