Despite being covered almost entirely by ice, Antarctica is classified as the world’s largest desert. This is because it receives very little precipitation less than 200 millimeters (8 inches) per year making it extremely dry. Most of the moisture that does fall is locked up as ice, and the continent’s cold temperatures prevent liquid water from forming.
The harsh conditions make Antarctica one of the most extreme environments on Earth, with strong winds and freezing temperatures. However, some specially adapted plants, animals, and microorganisms survive there. Studying Antarctica helps scientists understand climate change, glacial movements, and how life can exist in the planet’s toughest places. Shutdown123