Polar Exploration Illustrated: The Romance of Antarctica

Antarctica is a continent of extremes. It is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth. It is also the largest wilderness on the planet, with an area of over 14 million square kilometers.

For centuries, Antarctica has been a source of mystery and fascination. The first people to reach the continent were whalers and sealers in the early 19th century. These men were drawn to Antarctica by the promise of adventure and the riches that could be found in its waters.

Polar Exploration (Illustrated): The romance of (Antarctica Book 3)

by William Kent Krueger

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4468 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	253 pages
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In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a new era of polar exploration began. This era was marked by the heroic expeditions of men such as Roald Amundsen, Ernest Shackleton, and Robert Falcon Scott. These explorers risked their lives to reach the South Pole and to explore the interior of the continent.

The heroic age of polar exploration came to an end with the tragic death of Robert Falcon Scott and his team in 1912. However, exploration of the continent continued in the years that followed. In the 1950s and 1960s, a number of scientific expeditions were conducted in Antarctica. These expeditions helped to shed light on the continent's geology, climate, and wildlife.

Today, Antarctica is a protected continent. The Antarctic Treaty System, which was signed in 1959, prohibits all military activity on the continent and sets aside the continent for scientific research. Antarctica is now a place where scientists from all over the world come to study the effects of climate change, the geology of the continent, and the wildlife that lives there.

Polar exploration is a story of adventure, heroism, and scientific discovery. It is a story that continues to inspire and fascinate people today.

The Early Days of Polar Exploration

The first people to reach Antarctica were whalers and sealers in the early 19th century. These men were drawn to the continent by the promise of adventure and the riches that could be found in its waters.

The first whaling expedition to Antarctica was led by the American captain John Davis in 1820. Davis and his crew sailed to the South Shetland Islands, where they found a large number of whales. The whalers were so successful that they returned to the South Shetland Islands the following year with a larger fleet of ships.

The sealers also began to hunt in Antarctica in the early 19th century. The seals were found on the pack ice that surrounded the continent. The sealers would kill the seals and then sell their skins for profit.

The early whaling and sealing expeditions were very dangerous. The ships were often caught in storms and the men were often attacked by the whales and seals. However, the lure of adventure and the promise of riches kept the men coming back to Antarctica.

The Heroic Age of Polar Exploration

The heroic age of polar exploration began in the late 19th century and lasted until the early 20th century. This era was marked by the expeditions of men such as Roald Amundsen, Ernest Shackleton, and Robert Falcon Scott.

These explorers risked their lives to reach the South Pole and to explore the interior of the continent. They endured extreme cold, hunger, and fatigue. They also faced the dangers of crevasses, icebergs, and storms.

The most famous expedition of the heroic age was the race to the South Pole between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott. Amundsen reached the pole first on December 14, 1911. Scott and his team reached the pole on January 17, 1912, but they died on their return journey.

The heroic age of polar exploration came to an end with the tragic death of Robert Falcon Scott and his team. However, the legacy of these explorers lives on. They were brave men who risked their lives to push the boundaries of human knowledge.

The Modern Era of Polar Exploration

Exploration of Antarctica continued in the years that followed the heroic age. In the 1950s and 1960s, a number of scientific expeditions were conducted on the continent. These expeditions helped to shed light on the continent's geology, climate, and wildlife.

In the 1970s, the Antarctic Treaty System was signed. This treaty prohibits all military activity on the continent and sets aside the continent for scientific research. Antarctica is now a place where scientists from all over the world come to study the effects of climate change, the geology of the continent, and the wildlife that lives there.

Today, Antarctica is a protected continent. It is a place of scientific discovery and wonder. It is a place that continues to inspire and fascinate people all over the world.

Polar Exploration (Illustrated): The romance of (Antarctica Book 3)

by William Kent Krueger

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4468 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	253 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE