There is a legend that an explorer from the Cook Islands called Ui te Rangiora discovered Antarctica in the 7th century. read more
Antarctica remained unexplored until a very brave Norwegian explorer by the name of Roald Amundsen finally came ashore there in December 1911. December is one of the few summer months in Antarctica so his timing was good. read more
East Antarctica makes up two-thirds of the continent, and is about the size of Australia. Ice in this part of the continent averages 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) thick. West Antarctica, on the other hand, is a series of frozen islands stretching toward the southern tip of South America, an extension of the Andes Mountains prominent on the warmer continent. read more