190 years ago, Russian explorers discovered and described a new continent, the existence of which was previously only a theory. January 28 (16, Old Style), 1820, went down in history as the day Antarctica was discovered by a Russian naval expedition sailing around the world, captained by Fabian von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev.
190 years ago, Russian explorers discovered and described a new continent, the existence of which was previously only a theory. January 28 (16, Old Style), 1820, went down in history as the day Antarctica was discovered by a Russian naval expedition sailing around the world, captained by Fabian von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev.
The Antarctic has an extremely harsh climate, with an average annual temperature of minus 50 degrees centigrade. The coldest temperature on earth, minus 89.2, was recorded here on July 21, 1983.
Thanks to the infrastructure in place, conditions in Antarctica are such that everyone feels quite comfortable. Photo: the Metelitsa women’s sport and research team setting up camp for the night, 1989.
The Main Antarctic Treaty was signed on December 1, 1959, and entered into force on June 23, 1961. According to the document, Antarctica shall not belong to any country. Photo: the Vostok station personnel are greeted with bread and salt, according to the Russian custom, 1967.
Penguins are the best known inhabitants of the Antarctic.
Penguins symbolize Antarctica. Photo: a Moscow journalist interviewing a penguin, 1966.
There is no indigenous population in the Antarctic but researchers can be considered permanent settlers.
Several thousand researchers come here in summertime and up to a thousand in winter. Photo: cooking lunch for Mirny observatory personnel, 1957.
Antarctica is the most elevated of all continents on the Earth, at an average of 2,000 meters above sea level due to its massive ice crust. The continent’s center is 4,500 meters above sea level.
Antarctica is wind-swept. The strong winds are almost continuous through winter, from April to November.
One can get to the Antarctic by sea, like Russian explorer Fyodor Konyukhov,…
…and by air.
A sea voyage to the Antarctic takes several days.
Many travel agencies currently arrange trips to the coldest place on Earth.
