The constellation of the Big Dipper
At first glance, the Arctic and Antarctica are easy to confuse: similar names, identical snow-covered landscapes, icy icebergs, bird bazaars and, of course, handsome whales.
However, these two polar regions are diametrically opposed to each other not only on the map, but also in their essence.
The word “arktikos” translates as “northern, located under the constellation Ursa Major.” Since ancient times, travelers have been guided by the North Star in this constellation.
And the word “Antarctica” consists of two parts: “Anti” and “Arctic”, that is, the territory opposite to the Arctic at the other pole of the Earth.
Where are the Arctic and Antarctic?
The Arctic is the territories around the North Pole, which includes the Arctic Ocean, adjacent parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the polar regions of two continents – North America and Eurasia.
Antarctica is the area around the South Pole, including the continent of Antarctica, nearby islands and adjacent parts of three oceans: the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific – Southern Ocean.
Both of these territories are considered polar, as they are located beyond the arctic circles: the Arctic is behind the northern ones, and Antarctica is behind the southern one.
Antarctica is covered by a century-old ice sheet in places up to 4 km. But what is under these centuries-old ice?
Penguins in Antacida
Landscape
The topography of the Arctic and Antarctic differ significantly from each other. The northernmost point of the Earth is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, while the southernmost lies in the center of the continent of Antarctica.
You could even say that: The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land, and Antarctica is a land surrounded by an ocean.
As we have already found out, the North Pole, the very heart of the Arctic, is located right in the Arctic Ocean, and accordingly, at sea level.
The South Pole is located almost in the center of the continent of Antarctica, the territory of which is almost completely covered by a multi-kilometer ice sheet.
There are mountains on it. Few managed to conquer its peak – Vinson Massif – 4897 m above sea level. And there are active volcanoes in Antarctica!
Differences of the animal world
The marine waters of the Arctic and Antarctic are home to whales, killer whales, seals, fish, birds, krill, algae and other organisms.
Penguins don’t live in the north! Most of these non-flying birds live on the coast of Antarctica, and polar bears and walruses live in the Arctic.
Although the climate in these places is similar, the south is not suitable for polar bears, and the north is unsuitable for penguins. Polar bears, moving across the ice cover and looking for wormholes in them, feed mainly on seals.
If they get to Antarctica, where the earth is hidden under a layer of ice, they will not be able to find food there. Penguins will not be able to live comfortably on the ice cover, under which there is no earthen base.
