1 Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. It is almost completely covered with snow and ice. In some places the ice is almost 5 kilometres thick. There are no trees Very small plants are the only things that grow there.
2 This beautiful white land is nearly as big as Europe and the USA put together. in winter it seems to double in size because ice forms in the sea around it. When the sea is frozen, it is very difficult for ships to reach Antarctica. The scientists who work the cannot leave until summer comes,
3 In summer the days are very long and the nights are very short. In winter it is dark most of the time. At the South Pole there is only one'day' and one nigh in the whole year. The sun does not go down from September to March, and then it is dark until the next September.
4 only tiny animals like insects live in Antarctica. However the sea around it is full of life. Animals like seals and penguins come onto the land in the warmer months to rest and have their babies. When it starts to get cold again, most of them leave, but theemperor penguin stays. In the winter the mother lays one egg on the ice. She the then passes it to the father who carries it on his feet, under a piece of skin. Here he keep it warm in temperatures as low as-60°C!