Argentine Antarctica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Argentine Antarctica
Antártida Argentina
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Argentine Antarctica map since 1950, the Orcadas base are from 1904.
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Location in Antarctica
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| Country | Argentina | ||
| Province | Tierra del Fuego Province | ||
| Founded by | José María Sobral | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 965,597 km2 (372,819 sq mi) | ||
| Population | |||
| • Total | 300 | ||
| • Density | 0.00031/km2 (0.00080/sq mi) | ||
Argentine Antarctica is a part of Antarctica that Argentina says is its own land. This area is also claimed by the United Kingdom and Chile. It is like a special department of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego Province.
Argentina began exploring Antarctica in the early 1900s. José María Sobral was the first Argentine to step onto the continent in 1901. He stayed there for two seasons with a Swedish expedition. In 1904, the Orcadas Base started operating fully. Over the years, more bases were built. The first Argentine team to reach the South Pole was during an event called Operación 90 in 1965.
The `Instituto Antartico Argentino` helps manage all of Argentina's activities in Antarctica. According to a census in October 2010, about 230 people lived in the six permanent bases during winter.
Exploring Argentine Antarctica
The Land and Climate
The land in Argentine Antarctica shares some features with Patagonia, a region in South America. The tallest mountains are found in the southern part of the Antarctic Peninsula. Most of the land is covered by a thick layer of ice sheet.
The weather here is a polar climate. This means it's very cold, with strong winds, lots of snow, and thick clouds. It's a harsh but amazing place!
Images for kids
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Otto Nordenskiöld (right) with José María Sobral (left) in Snow Hill Island, circa 1903.
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DNA-IAA emblem
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Omond House, Laurie Island, circa 1903.
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The Orcadas Base in 1996
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Caterpillar tractor from the first Argentine expedition that reached the South Pole in 1965.
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Esperanza Base in 2012.
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Watercraft in Hope Bay, Antarctica.
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Argentine bases on Antarctica (permanent bases in red).
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The icebreaker Almirante Irizar, the main supply ship for Argentine bases in Antarctica since 1978.
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Groussac hut on Petermann Island.
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See also
In Spanish: Antártida Argentina para niños
