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Antarctica: Flag and Facts

Antarctica has no official flag, but the popular True South flag shows navy and white horizontal bands with a white peak in the center casting a navy shadow shaped like a compass arrow pointing south.

Region
Antarctic
Area
14,000,000 km² (5,405,428 sq mi)
People
Antarctican
Highest point
Vinson Massif 4,892 m
Borders
No land borders
Status
Territory (not a sovereign country)

About Antarctica

Created in 2018, the True South design has been picked up by national Antarctic programs, nonprofits, and expedition teams. Its two bands stand for the very long days and nights at the bottom of the planet. The arrow honors the history of exploration, and together the peak and arrow form a diamond meant to signal peace, discovery, and cooperation.

People guessed at a "southern land" for ages, and British, American, and Russian voyages started charting it in the early 1820s. Only in 1840 was it shown to be a true continent rather than islands or open ocean. After World War II, science took off, and many countries now run research stations there. Seven nations have made territorial claims, but most countries do not recognize them.

Did you know?

  • No continent on Earth is colder, windier, or drier than Antarctica.
  • About 99% of Antarctica is covered by a thick ice sheet.
  • Vinson Massif, the highest point in Antarctica, reaches 4,892 meters.

Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.

Questions about Antarctica

How big is Antarctica?

Antarctica is a bit under 1.5 times as large as the United States.

Does Antarctica have a capital?

No. Antarctica has no capital and no permanent population, only research stations and camps.

More countries in Antarctic

Sources

Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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