The continent is also being heavily affected by global warming as the glaciers, ice, and snow on Antarctica have been slowly melting into the ocean. This is affecting not only Antarctica and the wildlife present on and around the island, but also the entire world as water levels are slowly on the rise.
Although Antarctica is changing in many ways, this continent has done little to alter itself as the island is nearly isolated. The continent is, and always has been dominated by the wildlife on the island as well as in the nearby seas. Many animals found here can be found nowhere else in the world or are rarely found elsewhere, while many of the birds and sea life seasonally migrate.
The culture of the continent is lacking as few people live on Antarctica and most who do are seasonal scientists from numerous countries. These people continue on their traditional cultures from their home countries, but the lifestyle in Antarctica is vastly different than it is elsewhere. Freezing temperatures and winds mean most time is spent in doors. The sun also affects the lifestyle as the continent experiences 24 hours of daylight during their summers and 24 hours of darkness during their winters. For most visitors to Antarctica today, the trip begins and ends on a cruise ship during these long summer months when visitors can disembark to the land to see penguins or glaciers before continuing on their journey.
Name: Antarctica
Independence: Antarctic Treaty signed December 1, 1959 (in force June 23, 1961)
Capital: None
Currency: None
Population: About 1,100 (winter) to 4,400 (summer)
Ethnicity: Multiple
Language: Multiple
Religion: Multiple