The loss of ice shelf buttressing has been identified as the major cause of ice loss on the West Antarctic ice sheet, but has also been observed around the East Antarctic ice sheet.

Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica at 4,892 m (16,050 ft), is located in the Ellsworth Mountains.

Antarctica contains about 90% of the world's ice, which if all melted would cause a global sea level rise of about 58 meters (190 feet).

A 2018 systematic review study estimated that ice loss across the entire continent was 43 gigatonnes (Gt) per year on average during the period from 1992 to 2002, but accelerated to an average of 220 Gt per year during the five years from 2012 to 2017.

Captain James Cook, during his expeditions, crossed the Antarctic Circle multiple times.
His ships, HMS Resolution and Adventure, crossed the Antarctic Circle on 17 January 1773, in December 1773, and again in January 1774, coming close to the Antarctic coast.

Antarctica is governed by about 30 countries that are parties to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty System.

Decisions under the Antarctic Treaty are made by consensus among the participating countries.
This means that all parties must agree on a decision, and there is no voting process.
Consensus-based decision-making ensures that all countries have an equal say and encourages cooperation and cooperation among the treaty parties.

The relative warmth of the Arctic Ocean is transferred through the Arctic sea ice, which helps moderate temperatures in the Arctic region.

East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica due to its higher elevation.
Weather fronts rarely penetrate far into the continent, leaving the center cold and dry.

Roald Amundsen, leading a Norwegian team, won the race to the South Pole.
He successfully reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911, beating Robert Falcon Scott's British expedition.