Name
The name Antarctica derives from two Greek words, "anti" and "arktikos", meaning "opposite to the Arctic" or "opposite to the north".
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Country
Antarctica
79.84° S, 35.89° E
12,356,254 km² of land — the 2nd largest country on Earth.
total area 12,356,254 km² · 2nd/235
computed · ranks computed across the countries in this atlas that carry the value
- Population
- 4,490
- Natural Earth population estimate.
- Area
- 14,200,000 km²
- Official total area (land + water) from the CIA World Factbook. Computed from the Natural Earth boundary: ≈ 12,356,254 km².
- Population density
- ≈ 0 / km²
- Population divided by the computed boundary area.
- ISO codes
- AQ · ATA
- GDP
- No source connected
Antarctica 14,200,000 km²China 9,596,960 km²
geometry: Natural Earth 1:50m · EPSG:6933 equal-area
Where Antarctica sits in the world
Each line is every country in this atlas that carries the value, ordered smallest to largest. The line down the middle is the world median; the mark on each line is this country.
- Population4,490230th of 235 · median 5,454,073
- Total area14,200,000 km²2nd of 228 · median 83,736 km²
- Coastline17,968 km10th of 229 · median 402 km
Overview
Background
Speculation over a 'southern land' was confirmed in the early 1820s, when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region. They also explored other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. In 1840, it was finally established that Antarctica was a continent rather than a group of islands or an area of ocean. Several exploration 'firsts' were achieved in the early 20th century, but the area saw little human activity.
Following World War II, the continent experienced an upsurge in scientific research. Countries established year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Countries made territorial claims, but these claims are not recognized by all countries. To provide a legal framework for activities on the continent, countries negotiated an Antarctic Treaty. Signed in 1959 and entering into force in 1961, it neither denies nor recognizes existing territorial claims. The Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources are also relevant to Antarctic governance.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Flag and symbols
Two horizontal bands of navy and white frame a stylized white peak at the center, whose navy shadow forms a compass arrow pointed south. The bands represent the long days and nights at Antarctica's extreme latitude, while the arrow is an homage to the continent's legacy of exploration; together, the peak and arrow create a diamond symbolizing hope that Antarctica will continue to be a center of peace, discovery, and cooperation. The unofficial flag, created in 2018, has been used by national Antarctic programs, Antarctic nonprofits, and expedition teams.
Source: CIA World Factbook · 2026-02-01 · text generated from this source, approved by a person
Key figures
CIA World Factbook
Land
- Total area
- 14,200,000 km²
- Field “Geography → Area → total” in the CIA World Factbook archive (frozen 2026-02-01). Public domain. The Factbook stopped publishing in February 2026; the year shows when the value was estimated.
- Coastline
- 17,968 km
- Field “Geography → Coastline” in the CIA World Factbook archive (frozen 2026-02-01). Public domain. The Factbook stopped publishing in February 2026; the year shows when the value was estimated.
- Mean elevation
- 2,300 m
- Field “Geography → Elevation → mean elevation” in the CIA World Factbook archive (frozen 2026-02-01). Public domain. The Factbook stopped publishing in February 2026; the year shows when the value was estimated.
- Highest point
- 4,892 m Vinson Massif
- Field “Geography → Elevation → highest point” in the CIA World Factbook archive (frozen 2026-02-01). Public domain. The Factbook stopped publishing in February 2026; the year shows when the value was estimated.
Values from the CIA World Factbook archive. Each carries the year it describes; open a year for the exact source field.
Connections
Within
Natural geography 93
Natural Earth outlines · features with a Wikidata ID