What is the difference between Antarctica and Antarctica. What is the difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic? The most interesting facts

The Arctic and the Antarctic - what is it, where is it and how is it different, and indeed are these two different places or two names of the same? Since school years, these questions cause some uncertainty among many. Doubts provoke the similarity of not only names, but also climatic conditions. So far, once and for all, understand what is what, what are the similarities and differences between the Arctic and the Antarctic. To begin with, what they have in common.

Names. In fact, this is not a similarity, but a contrast. “Arctic” is a word of Greek origin, and the root “arctos” means “she-bear”. According to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, they are guided in searches in the horizon of the North Star - the main northern landmark. The history of the name "Antarctica" is much less ancient (the name appeared only in the twentieth century) and romantic. Antarctica is an anti-Arctic, that is, literally, the opposite of the Arctic. And the opposite of the bear! It is just so easiest to remember that a permanent resident of the Arctic spaces in the antipode of the Arctic is not found.

Climate. Indeed, the polar territories are distinguished by severe climatic conditions. These are icy deserts, eternal snows, icebergs. But here the similarity is not as complete as it seems to us. Warm currents go far enough along the northern coast of Eurasia to make the Arctic climate milder, temperature minimums are higher, and the temperature difference is milder than in the Antarctic latitudes.

Perhaps the similarities end and differences begin, the most important of which is the geographical location at different poles of the globe. The North Pole and adjacent water-ice open spaces and islands up to the coast of the continents of Eurasia and North America are the “possessions” of the Arctic. The South Pole and its adjacent territories bounded by the Antarctic convergence - the meeting point of the cold Antarctic currents with the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic - Antarctica. This phenomenon is noted on the 48-61 southern parallel and is characterized by a sharp change in water temperature by several degrees. Thus, the area of \u200b\u200bthe southern antipode of the Arctic - the Antarctic - is almost twice as large.

Another difference is the mainland. The Arctic and Antarctic can also be considered antipodes. The center of the Arctic - the North Pole lies in the Arctic Ocean, and the continental Arctic territories are only small coastal parts of large formations of Eurasia and North America, "framing" the Arctic zone along the edges. The center of the Antarctic rests on land, its own Antarctic continent, and on the edges of the territory, on the contrary, are limited only by the line of temperature changes in the vast oceans.

Climatic differences are caused not only by warm currents that freely penetrate into the Arctic territories and do not have a passage into the Antarctic waters. In many respects, heights influence the temperature regime. The difference between the Arctic is the absence of continental formations and ice, rising above sea level by a maximum of several meters. The average height of the Antarctic continent is 2 thousand meters, of which about 1.8 thousand are ice fields. Due to this, the average temperatures here are lower, the difference is more than 10 degrees.

The flora and fauna of the polar territories is also very different. And it’s not even a matter of polar bears, who prefer the Northern polar territories, and penguins, who have chosen to live in the vicinity of the Southern mainland. The differences are much more serious. Thus, the plant world of Antarctica is limited by an extremely meager set of algae, lichens, mosses and literally two kinds of flowers - a meadow and colobanthus.

In the Arctic, in this regard, the flora is richer - hundreds of plant species, from the same algae, mosses and lichens to grasses, cereals, shrubs and even trees closer to the southern borders of the territories. The situation is similar with the animal kingdom - on the Antarctic continent and in its environs, few animal species can live and breed. Marine animals and organisms prevail here (their greatest density gravitates to the boundaries of warm waters), birds. Arctic island and mainland territories are concentrated mainly away from the pole and have a milder climate, so the fauna of the land here is much more diverse.

A significant difference is also the degree of development of territories and economic activity. The Arctic is actively developing, fish and seafood are being harvested here, exploration and development of mineral resources are being actively carried out. The Arctic territories were also used as landfills - for example, for testing nuclear weapons. Antarctic territories are protected from human activities by international agreements (1959 Convention). Any economic activity, weapons testing is prohibited here, warships are not allowed to cross the 60th parallel. In the Antarctic, only scientific activity is carried out, about 45 scientific stations of different states are located here.

Probably, most people who have long graduated from school will not immediately be able to give an answer about the difference between the Arctic, Antarctica and the Antarctic - where are they located, and how do they differ?

Many doubt the main score because of the similarity of names and almost identical climatic conditions.

We can only say with confidence that there and there is a lot of snow, ice and icebergs.

What are the similarities between the Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica
To better understand how they are similar and how they differ, it is worth starting with what these places have in common.

Title
To be more precise, this is not a similarity, but rather a contrast.

The word "Arctic" is of Greek origin. “Arctos” means “she-bear”. This is due to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, according to which people navigate in search of the North Star, that is, the main northern landmark.

The word "Antarctica" was coined recently, or rather in the twentieth century. The history of its origin is not so interesting. The fact is that “Antarctica” is a combination of the two words “anti” and “Arctic”, that is, the part opposite to the Arctic, or the bear.

Climate
Eternal snow and icebergs are the result of harsh climate conditions. This is the second similarity of the above territories.

However, it is worth noting that the similarity is not entirely complete, since the climate of the Arctic is still milder due to warm currents that go far enough along the northern coast of Eurasia. Here, the minimum temperature exceeds the minimum temperature of the Antarctic.

What is the difference between the Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica
The northern polar region of our planet, which is adjacent to the North Pole.

The Arctic includes the outskirts of two continents - North America and Eurasia.

The Arctic includes almost the entire Arctic Ocean and many islands in it (except for the coastal islands of Norway).

The adjacent parts of two oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic - enter the Arctic.

The average temperature in the Arctic is -34 C.

Antarctic
This is the southern polar region of our planet. As already mentioned, its name can be translated as "opposite to the Arctic."

The mainland Antarctica and the adjacent parts of the three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian, together with the islands enter the Antarctic.

Antarctica is the most severe climatic zone of the Earth. Both the mainland and the nearby islands are covered in ice.

The average temperature in the Antarctic is -49 C.

Antarctica
Continent, which is located in the southernmost part of the globe.

Simply put: Antarctica and Antarctica

1. Antarctica is the mainland. The area of \u200b\u200bthis continent is 14.1 million square meters. km., which puts it in 5th place in terms of area among all the mainland. In this parameter, he overtook only Australia. Antarctica is a deserted continent discovered by the Lazarev – Bellingshausen expedition in 1820.

2. Antarctica is a territory that includes both the mainland Antarctica itself and all the islands and waters of three oceans adjacent to this mainland - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian. According to foreign scientists who call the Antarctic water area the Southern Ocean, the Antarctic area is about 86 million square meters. km

3. The relief of the Antarctic is much more diverse than the relief of the mainland, which is included in it.

Animals of Antarctica and Antarctica
4. The animal world of the Antarctic is richer than the animal world of Antarctica. More different species of animals live here, including many birds (petrels, albatrosses, skuas) and several species of penguins, including Adelie penguins and large emperor penguins.

It is also worth noting that in the coastal waters of Antarctica you can find whales, sperm whales, killer whales, and auls.

5. In Antarctica it is forbidden to hunt, fish and carry out any other economic activities.

In the waters of the Antarctic, you can fish and several marine mammals.

Arctic and Antarctic

1. The Arctic is the extreme north of the Earth.

Antarctica - the extreme south of the Earth.

These poles are washed by different oceans, and they also have different borders.

2. The average temperature of the Arctic is higher than the average temperature of the Antarctic.

3. The Arctic consists of a frozen ocean. In summer, most of this ocean thaws.

Antarctica is the mainland, and its ice does not melt.

4. The area of \u200b\u200bthe Antarctic exceeds the area of \u200b\u200bthe Arctic by more than 2 times.

5. In the Arctic (more precisely beyond the Arctic Circle) people live. There are about 4 million of them.

And in the Antarctic (beyond the Southern Arctic Circle) there is no permanent population. If only scientists working at temporary stations.

6. Part of the Arctic is divided between the "Arctic Five" - \u200b\u200bDenmark, Canada, Norway, Russia and the USA.

The territory of the Antarctic is not assigned to anyone.

The concepts of Antarctica and Antarctica are very consonant. Both objects of comparison are located in the extreme south of the southern hemisphere of the Earth and are strongly associated with the kingdom of cold, snow and ice. It is interesting, but by the end of the 7th grade, that is, upon completion of the study of the course “physical geography of the continents”, a significant part of the students of the comprehensive school cannot clearly explain the difference between Antarctica and Antarctica and use these terms for their intended purpose.

Definition

Antarctica- this is the mainland. It has an area of \u200b\u200b14.1 million km². According to this parameter, he takes the "honorable" 5th place, overtaking only the crumb Australia. Antarctica bears the title of “Queen of the Cold”, “Deserted Continent” and “Edge of the Earth”. It was discovered by the Lazarev – Bellingshausen expedition in 1820.

Antarctic- This is the territory of the mainland of Antarctica, plus all the adjacent islands and coastal ocean waters. Most scientists limit the Antarctic distribution area to the West Winds. In non-Russian-speaking countries, this water area is called the Southern Ocean and covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 86 million km².

Comparison

A feature of Antarctica is its ice shell, or shield. It contains frozen 80% of all fresh water on our planet. The average height of the ice shell is 2040 meters, but in some places it rises to 4500 meters. Thanks to him, Antarctica is considered the highest continent on Earth. In addition to the mainland covered with an ice shroud, the Antarctic also includes 13 seas. For example - the Sea of \u200b\u200bLazarev, Cosmonauts, Weddell, Amundsen and Bellingshausen. A lot of archipelagos “float” in them. The most famous of them are Kerguelen, South Orkney and Shetland Islands.

The structure of the mainland of Antarctica is very interesting. It is based on the Antarctic platform - a quarter of the once split Gondwana, the blood brother of Australia, Africa and South America. If you remove the ice skin from the mainland, you can see the plains and mountains. Although the Transantarctic mountains and the Vinson massif managed to break through to the surface without exposure, the local volcano Erebus spits with fire and actively spews lava, which is considered one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. But due to the enormous mass of ice, this continent in many places has a somewhat “squeezed” appearance, like an old sofa. Therefore, a significant part of the earth's crust is below the level of the oceans and is -2341 meters. The underwater relief adjacent to the mainland of the Southern Ocean is more diverse. Here, an alternation of ups and downs is recorded. The average depth of 13 sea lodges-depressions is 3500 meters, but there is also a deep-water Sandwich trench, reaching 8325 m.

The climate of Antarctica is considered one of the harshest. Because of the ice sheet, it is constantly cold here. At least -89.2 ° C in the center of the mainland. In January, the coastal temperature fluctuates around 0 ° C. 176 days a year winds rush over the mainland, the speed of which exceeds 30 m / s. It is very dry, and rare precipitation falls only in the form of snow. Over the aquatic part of Antarctica, cold stock winds from the mainland reign, but the air temperature in the northernmost regions can rise to 10 ° C. Ice shelves — Ross, Ronne — are sliding into the water from the mainland; icebergs float across the water and pose a danger to travelers.

Antarctic waters are characterized by strong transparency, low salinity and a high oxygen content, which is why there is a lot of plankton and krill in them. He in turn attracts fish and blue whales. There are so many fish that it is enough for penguins, and for the mass of birds, and for toothed whales, and for seals and seals. Orcas hunt for the latter. On the mainland, the animal world is limited and confined to the coastal strip. These are penguins, cormorants, petrels and Dominican gulls.

All industrial activity is prohibited in Antarctica. Only scientists from those countries work between them, between which the mainland is divided into sectors. In the waters of the Antarctic, whaling and fishing fleets of those countries that have the opportunity to engage in such business are hunted.

Website conclusions

The concept of Antarctica is broader. Antarctica covers a larger area than Antarctica.
The relief of Antarctica is more diverse than the relief of Antarctica.
The temperature amplitude is greater in Antarctica than in Antarctica, but the mainland itself is much colder than the waters of the Southern Ocean.
The animal kingdom of Antarctica is represented by a large number of species and the number of animals.
In Antarctica, any economic activity is prohibited, and the waters of the Antarctic are a place of fishing for fish and marine mammals on a global scale.

What is Antarctica and Antarctica

Antarctica is the mainland. It has an area of \u200b\u200b14.1 million km². According to this parameter, he takes the "honorable" 5th place, overtaking only the crumb Australia. Antarctica bears the title of “Queen of the Cold”, “Deserted Continent” and “Edge of the Earth”. It was discovered by the Lazarev – Bellingshausen expedition in 1820.

Antarctica is the territory of the continent of Antarctica itself, plus all the adjacent islands and coastal ocean waters. Most scientists limit the Antarctic distribution area to the West Winds. In non-Russian-speaking countries, this water area is called the Southern Ocean and covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 86 million km².

Comparison of Antarctica and Antarctica

What is the difference between Antarctica and Antarctica? A feature of Antarctica is its ice shell, or shield. It contains frozen 80% of all fresh water on our planet. The average height of the ice shell is 2040 meters, but in some places it rises to 4500 meters. Thanks to him, Antarctica is considered the highest continent on Earth. In addition to the mainland covered with an ice shroud, the Antarctic also includes 13 seas. For example - the Sea of \u200b\u200bLazarev, Cosmonauts, Weddell, Amundsen and Bellingshausen. A lot of archipelagos “float” in them. The most famous of them are Kerguelen, South Orkney and Shetland Islands.

TheDifference.ru determined that the difference between Antarctica and Antarctica is as follows: The concept of Antarctica is broader. Antarctica covers a larger area than Antarctica. The relief of Antarctica is more diverse than the relief of Antarctica. The temperature amplitude is greater in Antarctica than in Antarctica, but the mainland is much colder than the waters of the Southern Ocean. The Antarctic animal world is represented by a large number of species and number of animals. In Antarctica, any economic activity is prohibited, and the waters of the Antarctic are a place of fishing for fish and marine mammals on a global scale.

Incredible facts

Many doubt the main score because of the similarity of names and almost identical climatic conditions.

We can only say with confidence that there and there is a lot of snow, ice and icebergs.

What are the similarities between the Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica

To better understand how they are similar and how they differ, it is worth starting with what these places have in common.

Title

To be more precise, this is not a similarity, but rather a contrast.

The word "Arctic" is of Greek origin. Arctos means bear. This is due to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, according to which people navigate in search of the North Star, that is, the main northern landmark.

The word "Antarctica" It was invented recently, or rather in the twentieth century. The history of its origin is not so interesting. The fact is that "Antarctica" is a combination of the two words "anti" and "Arctic", that is, the part opposite to the Arctic, or the bear.

Climate

Eternal snow and icebergs are the result of harsh climate conditions. This is the second similarity of the above territories.

What is the difference between the Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica

Arctic

The northern polar region of our planet, which is adjacent to the North Pole.

The Arctic includes the outskirts of two continents - North America and Eurasia.

The Arctic includes almost the entire Arctic Ocean and many islands in it (except for the coastal islands of Norway).

The adjacent parts of two oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic - enter the Arctic.

The average temperature in the Arctic is -34 C.

Arctic (photo)

Antarctic

This is the southern polar region of our planet. As already mentioned, its name can be translated as "opposite to the Arctic."

The mainland Antarctica and the adjacent parts of the three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian, together with the islands enter the Antarctic.

Antarctica is the most severe climatic zone of the Earth. Both the mainland and the nearby islands are covered in ice.

The average temperature in the Antarctic is -49 C.

Antarctica on the map

Antarctica (photo)

Antarctica

Continent, which is located in the southernmost part of the globe.

Antarctica on the map

Simply put:

Antarctica and Antarctica

1. Antarctica is the mainland. The area of \u200b\u200bthis continent is 14.1 million square meters. km., which puts it in 5th place in terms of area among all the continents. In this parameter, he overtook only Australia. Antarctica is a deserted continent discovered by the Lazarev – Bellingshausen expedition in 1820.

2. Antarctica is a territory that includes both the mainland of Antarctica itself, and all the islands adjacent to this mainland and the waters of three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian. According to foreign scientists who call the Antarctic water area the Southern Ocean, the Antarctic area is about 86 million square meters. km

3. Relief Antarctica is much more diverse than the relief of the mainland, which is included in it.