Location
Antarctica is located south of the Antarctic Circle. The southern ocean surrounds it.
Getting there/ Trip
You will have to fly or take a cruise. Flying is better and safer. Most trips take about 10 days to 3 weeks from port to port,
though occasionally longer or shorter trips are possible. Fly - Cruise trips
are about 6-7 days.
Can I fly to Antarctica? There are now "Air Cruise" trips to Antarctica whereby you can fly to Frei Station (Chilean) on King George Island in around two hours flying from Punta Arenas, Chile. You then embark on your ship where you follow the Antarctic part of the cruise for around 6 days along the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to King George Island and flying back to Punta Arenas again.
Can I fly to Antarctica? There are now "Air Cruise" trips to Antarctica whereby you can fly to Frei Station (Chilean) on King George Island in around two hours flying from Punta Arenas, Chile. You then embark on your ship where you follow the Antarctic part of the cruise for around 6 days along the Antarctic Peninsula before returning to King George Island and flying back to Punta Arenas again.
Government
It is not a country so it has no government or leader. Many scientists from other countries visit and study the continent. There are some treaties with countries to occupy parts of the continent. For more information on Antarctica and its treaties and government visit…
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-law-and-treaty
http://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-law-and-treaty
Relationship with U.S.
The US has 346 scientist and a few research stations. There are no issues with other countries occupying different parts of the continent.
Money
Their official currency is the Antarctican dollar. They do take American money, and credit cards. The cost of your visit will include minimum
about US$5,000 for a place in a twin cabin (triples may be available for 15-25%
less) plus the cost of air fares and other sundry costs to and from your point
of embarkation and then up to US$50 000 and even beyond. These are for regular
scheduled trips. Of course you pay more if you want the best cabins on the more
luxurious vessels.You could put together a trip of your own with other people
with the help of a small vessel operator running your own itinerary, cost -
negotiable, but not too different to the mid to high range scheduled
trips.$8,000 -$12,000 per passenger for a 10-14 day cruise is a reasonable
amount to expect to pay. For more info onthe Antarctic dollar visit....
http://antarcticaedu.com/money.htm
http://antarcticaedu.com/money.htm
safety
Advantages: Avoid crossing the Drakes Passage by ship - this can be a very rough crossing which for some people may prevent them going to Antarctica at all if they feel ill on ships.
Time saving - two sailings across the Drakes Passage saves about 4 days in all meaning that is possible to go to Antarctica without spending so much time getting there and back.
Disadvantages: You don't get to cross the Drakes Passage - there is something magical about arriving in Antarctica by ship where the weather and ice change slowly over a longer period, spotting albatrosses following the ship, the first ice-bergs, first penguins and seals etc.
Delays to your trip - While no Antarctica Fly and Cruise departure has been cancelled due to weather conditions (yet), some departures in the past have experienced delays of up to three days. The current estimate is that the chances of delay are in the range of 5-10%. Ships can operate in conditions in Antarctica that leave planes grounded. In particular you will need to have some flexibility in your return journey timings.
Time saving - two sailings across the Drakes Passage saves about 4 days in all meaning that is possible to go to Antarctica without spending so much time getting there and back.
Disadvantages: You don't get to cross the Drakes Passage - there is something magical about arriving in Antarctica by ship where the weather and ice change slowly over a longer period, spotting albatrosses following the ship, the first ice-bergs, first penguins and seals etc.
Delays to your trip - While no Antarctica Fly and Cruise departure has been cancelled due to weather conditions (yet), some departures in the past have experienced delays of up to three days. The current estimate is that the chances of delay are in the range of 5-10%. Ships can operate in conditions in Antarctica that leave planes grounded. In particular you will need to have some flexibility in your return journey timings.