Antarctic Peninsula facts for kids
The Antarctic Peninsula is the largest peninsula in Antarctica. A peninsula is a piece of land almost surrounded by water but connected to the mainland on one side. This peninsula is the northernmost part of the main landmass of Antarctica. It stretches for about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles). Its northern tip is only about 1,000 km (600 miles) from Tierra del Fuego, a group of islands at the southern end of South America.
Many countries have research stations on the Antarctic Peninsula. These stations are places where scientists live and work to study the area. Several countries also claim to own parts of the Antarctic Peninsula. This is called a claim of sovereignty, meaning they believe they have the right to govern that land.
The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth. The average temperatures there have gone up by almost 2°C in the last 50 years. This warming affects the ice and the animals that live there.
Images for kids
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Antarctic Peninsula map
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Booth Island and Mount Scott next to the narrow Lemaire Channel on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, 2001
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Many islands are found off the coast of the Peninsula. Here are Webb Island and Adelaide Island.
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The German research ship RV Polarstern at the British Rothera Research Station
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Geographic map of Antarctica
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Satellite image of Antarctic Peninsula
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Relief map
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A clear view of the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula during Spring
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Hope Bay glacier, 2012
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The last ice age thousands of years ago
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Sediments at the edge of an ice-covered continent during a warmer period between ice ages
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The Antarctic fur seal was once hunted almost to extinction. It has now returned to the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Adélie penguins, 2012
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A cross-section showing the Antarctic Peninsula's tectonic movement
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See also
In Spanish: Península Antártica para niños
