"It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin
BRR! Sunny and clear out! Another early morning, especially since I didn't want to miss anything! It was much more scenic today than yesterday because we were totally surrounded - land on one side (Antarctic peninsula) and ice and icebergs on the other. Saw penguins swimming in the wake again, sea lions were just laying on the icebergs sunbathing, some people even saw whales later in the day - I missed it, of course.
The icebergs and mountains covered with snow and ice were incredible! Looks so beautiful and serene, but this is one Paradise I wouldn't want to be stranded on! It was super-cold again, but depending on which side of the ship you were on you had the sun to warm you. We could see old whaling stations and bases from a distance. I wish I could've stayed out all day just to see it all, but sadly, I had to work... and there aren't windows in the Art Gallery!
Research Stations:
Antartica has over 40 permanent research stations which belong to 30 nations, all signatories to the Antarctic Treaty. In general, each station is operated by one country, but there are stations which are shared, like Concordia Research Station which is jointly-operated by France and Italy. A curiosity is Patriot Hills, the only private camp in Antarctica, established in 1987.
Antarctica has no indigenous inhabitants or permanent residents. Its population consists of the people who are involved in research or support activities on the continent. Men are still majority but the number of women working and living on the continent is constantly growing. On average, the scientific population varies from 4,000 inhabitants in summer to 1,000 in winter. During the summer many stations set up a series of tent camps and temporary facilities in support of research.
The only civilian populations on the continent are located on the Argentine Esperanza Station and the Chilean Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalvo Staton. Whole families live on the stations and there are schools for the children. However, it is always a temporary home as most people do not stay longer than two years on the continent.
- Antarctica Log Book; Velazquez, Aranda
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