No place on earth is more remote and desolate than Antarctica, and unlike others the White Continent is devoid of a permanent human population and was genuinely discovered by some hardy souls only in the last few centuries. Ever since James Cook’s second voyage of discovery in 1772-75, the history of the Antarctic region has been one of humanity’s wild exploration, endurance, survival and sacrifice set in an empire of towering glaciers and giant ice sheets.
You might think that only a chosen few get to see Antarctica, but the fact is that around 70,000 people make the journey by cruise ships to this region every year. By visiting Antarctica, you become a part of the continent’s history as you follow in the footsteps of some of its greatest explorers. You will discover human stories on an Antarctic voyage with names like Robert Falcon Spot, Ernest Shackleton, Edmund Hillary and many others, often cropping up during onboard lectures on the trip.
Antarctica Exploration
The explorers who first discovered this marvel on our planet hold special significance for anyone curious about the pristine landscapes of Antarctica. Whatever they achieved, is considered commendable in terms of human ingenuity and endurance as traveling to Antarctica at that time was considered as mythical as going to space. Moreover, with no land connection between Antarctica and other continents for around 35 million years, there were never any permanent settlers who inhabited the icy region.
Though no nation owns the continent, several nations have established their own research stations to demonstrate a bit of sovereignty over a small slice of Antarctica. Currently, approximately 1,000 scientists and staff live year-round at scientific bases in Antarctica, with the US McMurdo base, being the largest.
Heroic Era of Antarctic Exploration
Once the presence of Antarctica got firmly established, the stage was set for the Heroic Age of exploration from late 19th century to 1917, during which time as many as 17 major expeditions were launched. These explorers recorded findings in the field of oceanography, geology, meteorology and geography among others and were also the first to use the radio in the Antarctic.
The early explorers faced incredibly tough conditions with much less resources than we have today. In the 80s and 90s they explored the remote territory while facing inhospitable weather. Their courage and discoveries provided valuable knowledge that would help future explorers prepare and plan for their expeditions. With improved environmental knowledge, food kits, and specialized land transportation, today’s expeditions reap the rewards of advanced technology.
In the end, the human narrative of the White Continent is our greatest tool which can connect people with the last remaining pristine wilderness on earth, untouched by modern civilization. I feel grateful for these explorers and scientists whose work have afforded travelers like me to visit such a magnificent place full of natural beauty.
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