Science Article

"Magical, surreal, and otherworldly, Antarctica is a land of ultimates. It is the southernmost continent, and it is the coldest and windiest place on Earth. With virtually no rainfall and more than 95% of the landmass covered in ice, Antarctica is the world’s largest desert."

Star Slipock 

SEED Volunteer

Not surprisingly, Antarctica has no permanent human residents. It is the only continent with no government or political activity. In 1959 the world officially recognized the uniqueness of Antarctica and made it a scientific preserve. It is protected by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. This agreement seeks to manage the ecosystem as a whole, rather than just setting limits on a few targeted species.

My husband and I decided we wanted to see Antarctica. The simplest way to do this is from the deck of a cruise ship. From there, you can snap photos of glaciers, penguins, and seals to your heart’s content. But to really leave your footprint on the frozen landscape, you need to get off the ship. We chose an 11-day expedition that takes passengers into the interior for mountain climbing and exploration. Our ship, the National Geographic/Lindblad Expedition Endeavour, is equipped to navigate icy waters.