How Antarctica
came to be

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200 million years B.C.

Antarctica begins breaking away from the supercontinent Gondwana.

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40 million years B.C.

Antarctica is now completely separated from all its previously connected continents. It is surrounded by water.

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Historical firsts

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400 BC - Concept

Greeks postulate that there might be a large continent hugging the bottom of the earth.

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1773 - Antarctic Circle crossing

English explorer James Cook did it (but he never saw the continent).

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1820 - Confirmed sighting

Russian explorer Bellingshausen spots the Antarctica continent.

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1821 - Confirmed landing

Crew on the American sealer ship Cecilia set foot on the Antarctica Continent.

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1911 - Geological South Pole

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team reach it.

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1956 - Tourism

Sightseeing flights from Chile take wing over Antarctica. Tourist-toting ships soon follow.

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1978 - Native Antarctican

A boy is born at the Argentine research station Esperanza.

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Click for more history pointers

FIRST PAGE - Ernest Shackleton

PAGE TWO - Race to the South Pole

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Best 3 Antarctica cruise ships
When to go
Who should go - and not go
Small versus big ship
Itineraries
Costs
What-to-pack checklist

Zodiac landings
How to identify penguins
Antarctica history in brief
Interesting facts & tidbits
Glossary
More  pointers
Photo gallery

Top 10 experiences
Suite photos
Deck plans
Onboard enrichment
Dining & entertainment
Other onboard activities
Ship facts

Antarctica Cruise - Home page
Top 10 wonders of Antarctica

World's Top 100 Wonders

World's Top 1000 Wonders

Site map

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CLIA

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