Differences between Antarctica and the Arctic Regions
We are asked regularly what the differences are between the Polar Regions. The Arctic is the northern polar region and the Antarctic is the southern polar region. The Polar Regions have extremely cold climates and interesting adaptations of flora and fauna ("flora" means plants, and "fauna" means animals).

A key difference is that Antarctica is a continent surrounded by an ocean while the Arctic is an ocean almost completely surrounded by continents and Greenland. The Arctic's ice is, at most, only a few feet thick with water under it. While the water would be anything but warm if you jumped into it, it is at least around 30 degrees F - it's salt water and stays liquid at a lower temperature than fresh water. Some of this heat makes its way through the ice to the air. Also, even in winter some areas open up in the ice, allowing more ocean heat to escape into the air. Most of Antarctica, on the other hand, is covered by a few thousand feet of ice. While there is some geothermal heat at the bottom of the ice, this doesn't make it through to help warm the air.

Since the Southern Ocean surrounds Antarctica, winds from its strong storms help create an ocean current that circles the continent. This reduces the amount of warm water that reaches the continent. The Arctic, on the other hand, receives some relatively warm water from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

March of the Penguins
Go see this hit movie about Antarctica's emperor penguins, and then come see them for yourself. All 2008 Emperor Penguin Safaris are available NOW!