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What is Antarctic Circle?

Geography | 11-13 yrs | Interactive

The Antarctic circle is depicted as a red line at the bottom of the globe. It is actually an imaginary line placed to the south of the Equator.

Where is the Antarctic Circle located?

This special line of latitude is approximately 66¹/₂ degrees south of the equator and outlines the chilly southern zone of the world.

What’s inside the Antarctic Circle?

The continent of Antarctica lies within the Antarctic Circle. Antarctica is bigger than Europe and almost double the size of the continent of Australia. It remains covered in 99% ice almost throughout the year and because it experiences hardly any rain, scientists often refer to it as a desert. Antarctica has very little flora and fauna to boast of because of the harsh climatic conditions, but you would find some interesting animals such as penguins, whales seals, albatrosses, skua, snow petrel and krill.

Why is the Antarctic Circle important?

It helps the scientists in the study of the seasonal behaviour of the sunlight. It shows direct and indirect angles of sunlight.

What countries are in the Antarctic Circle?

There are no cities or villages in Antarctica. However, the countries nearest to the Antarctic circle are South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Argentina.

What oceans does the Antarctic Circle touch?

Only the Southern Ocean passes through the Antarctic circle.

6 Interesting facts about Antarctic Circle

  1. The name ‘Antarctica’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘opposite to the north’.
  2. The coldest temperature ever recorded on the Earth was in Antarctica on July 21, 1983, when it dipped 128 degrees below zero!
  3. All areas in the Antarctic Circle have twenty-four hours of daylight on the Summer Solstice in December.
  4. All areas in the Antarctic Circle have twenty-four hours of night in June on the Winter Solstice.
  5. The South Pole is in the center of the Antarctic Circle.
  6. There is no permanent population on the Antarctic Circle. Different countries have their research centres based in Antarctica where their team of scientists stay for some time of the year and conduct research.