Did you ever hear about cities in Antarctica? If not, that’s why because there aren’t any at least not in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, you can find a collective of frost-kissed research bases, where intrepid souls swap morning lattes for ice drills and briefcases for snow goggles. It’s a world where day-to-day life is everything but ordinary, and where the ‘locals’ are more likely penguins than people.
The Antarctic Treaty And Human Presence
Population in Antarctica and borders are defined by the Antarctic Treaty. In 1959, twelve countries divided the untouched wilderness of Antarctica. Fast forward to today, and over fifty nations have pledged to keep this colossal ice-clad library of secrets undisturbed and weapon-free.
But, what of human touch on this frosty frontier? A whisper here, a footprint there, but cities that exist in Antarctica? The penguins might chuckle at the thought. Instead, Antarctica is dotted with what might pass for towns (in the best case scenario). However, these ‘towns’ are mainly temporary and weather-dependent. You won’t find bustling marketplaces or smoky cafes here. The currency is cooperation, the trade is in data, and the local gossip is probably about the latest ice core samples or seal sightings…
Discovering “Cities” in the Antarctic Context
Let’s nudge our imaginations and embark on a little linguistic expedition, shall we? Even if we define these research station as “cities” they’re not the skyscraper definition you might have in your mind. They’re more like sky-gazers and they have bustling research agendas instead of bustling streets.
List Of “Cities In Antarctica” – Revealing The Mystery
Now that we covered some basics and cleared out the fact that there aren’t any cities in Antarctica, at least not ones in the traditional sense of the word, let’s quickly go through the few closest things to human settlements that can be found on the Icy Continent, starting with…
Villa Las Estrellas
As we mentioned, there aren’t any traditional cities in Antarctica but Villa Las Estrellas is probably the closest thing to it. Now, if you’re picturing a bustling metropolis, let’s dial those expectations down a bit. Here, the term ‘traffic jam’ refers to the occasional penguin waddling across your path.
There are a few charming hours, the main research station, a school, and a tiny hospital and that’s about it. It’s an isolated place where your local grocer doubles as the town’s ski instructor and where sending a postcard home means entrusting your words to the slow but steady ‘polar express’.
Esperanza Base
Nestled on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula lies this outpost belonging to Argentina, a slice of South American spirit chilled by southern ice if you will. It has a dozen of red/orange colourful houses and it’s more famous for being home to the first Antarctic-born human, named Emilio Marcos Palma, who might just have the coolest (literally and figuratively) birthplace listed on his passport.
McMurdo Station
Let me introduce you to the talk of the tundra, the Metropolis of the Polar plains, the place that almost makes one question the very phrase ‘cities in Antarctica’ — for if there was ever a city here, McMurdo Station might just be its closest kin.
McMurdo is more Martian base than Mayfair. It’s situated on Ross Island’s rocky shores, and it’s the largest Antarctica base of the United States’. Think of it as Uncle Sam with snow boots and a penchant for penguins. With a capacity of over 1,000 residents during the balmy (by Antarctic standards) summer months, it’s a beehive of activity. Scientists, researchers, engineers, and even artists have stamped their frosty footprints here.
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Nestled in the belly button of our planet, Amundsen-Scott is a dazzling brainchild of American ambition. In a land where directions are moot (seriously, every step away is literally to the north), this base stands tall as the southernmost dwelling on Earth. Talk about a real estate selling point!
The station, rebooted and redesigned in 2008, now looks like a spaceship, making it feel like the Antarctic Starship Enterprise. And beneath its futuristic facade, the station houses brave souls who endure six-month-long nights, one shift at a time.
Mirny Station
Mirny is a cozy village in a snow globe, inhabited by Russian scientists in parkas, trying to decode the secrets of the ice in the midst of braving blizzards. Mirny Station is Mother Russia’s cold comfort in the Antarctic expanse. Established in the 1950s, it’s the elder statesman of the Antarctic research scene.
But what’s so special about this frosty outpost? Well, while other stations might brag about their cutting-edge tech or their glitzy new labs, Mirny stands tall with its legacy. It’s been the starting point for many an epic ice traverse, where intrepid explorers ventured into the cold unknown, mapping the white wilderness and perhaps finding a frozen mammoth or two (kidding about the mammoths, but you never know).
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Marambio Base
This list ‘cities in Antarctica’ (wink-wink) couldn’t be complete without Marambio Base. Perched on Seymour Island, this base is Argentina’s main gateway to Antarctica. It’s like Buenos Aires’ chilly little sibling, with fewer tango bars and more penguins. It was established in the late 60s and it’s significant for being the place where an extinct bird 40 million years old was discovered.
But perhaps the pièce de résistance of this base is its airstrip. It’s the most significant runway on the white continent, making Marambio the Ellis Island of Antarctica. Travelers, scientists, and wayward adventurers, all have Marambio’s airstrip to thank for their first ‘Hello!’ to this icy wonderland.
Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalvo
This grandly named establishment is a part of Chile, set against the backdrop of the picturesque Fildes Peninsula, and it seems like the perfect place to sip a Pisco Sour.
Now, its name. Eduardo Frei Montalvo was the President of Chile who decided to venture into Antarctica and was rewarded by naming this first Chilean outpost after him. So, what makes this place worthy of such a grand title? Well, for starters, it’s a research hub but also kind of like a mini metropolis in the middle of nowhere, it has an airstrip, a hospital, and even a school.
Rothera Research Station
Rothera isn’t just any old place to chill (pun intended). No, it’s Britain’s primary Antarctic base, making it the Beckham of the research world. Strategically positioned on Adelaide Island, to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula, it has become the go-to spot for diverse scientific research. And like most other places on this list, it has an air strip, a research station, and a small hospital.
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Palmer Station
This list of ‘cities in Antarctica’ couldn’t be complete without Palmer Station. Nestled on Anvers Island, Palmer Station is the kind of place that might make you wonder if James Bond decided to swap out his tropical hideouts for something a bit… chillier. It’s an American research station and the Ivy League college of Antarctic bases. Unlike its fellow research bases, Palmer has a soft spot for the avian wonders of Antarctica and it’s one of the top spots for bird research, especially those adorable Adélie penguins. Remember Pingu? Yeah, probably his second home.
Halley Research Station
Now, first thing’s first: Halley’s got British written all over it and it’s the UK’s dazzling jewel in the Antarctic crown. It’s like the Antarctic’s version of the TARDIS. The first thing you notice about it is its architecture, for one. Imagine a caterpillar that’s been gymming hard; well it kind of looks like it. Modular sections linked together, all raised on hydraulic legs to battle the ever-accumulating snow. Quite the innovation, eh?
Concordia Station
Let’s spill the (frozen) tea: Concordia is the glamorous offspring of a French-Italian partnership. Imagine the charm of Paris and the allure of Rome, but instead of cafes and coliseums, you have icy expanses and scientific instruments. Concordia sits atop the Antarctic Plateau, at an altitude that would make even the Himalayas blush. And the oxygen is at a premium, making the station an astronaut’s dream for space simulation studies. In fact, if you fancy a trip to Mars but can’t wait for Elon’s next rocket, Concordia’s isolation, altitude, and extreme temperatures make it the next best thing.
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Neumayer-Station III
This Antarctic gem is owned and operated by the Germans. Think Oktoberfest, but swap out the beer steins for ice cores and the lederhosen for thermal suits. For starters, Neumayer-Station III isn’t just on top of the ice- it’s actually in the ice with its foundation being built into the thick icy layers. But Neumayer isn’t all work and no play. Despite being among the more remote ‘cities in Antarctica’, it’s got a dash of whimsy- it has its own cinema. And their very own mini-hospital.
Davis Station
Belonging to our favorite mates from Australia, Davis Station has a vibe that’s as warm as an Outback summer, even when it’s surrounded by nothing but ice and snow. Davis has its own unique flair– sure they’ve got their standard research labs, of course, but with an extra side of Aussie charm.
It’s Australia’s most southerly station and it’s the gateway to the Vestfold Hills, a rather rocky and ice-free terrain, which in Antarctic terms, is practically a beach vacation. Lastly, there’s the fact that Davis is where you’d go if you wanted a scenic boat ride. Yep, in summer, the sea ice melts to form a polynya, a fancy word for open water surrounded by ice.
Scott Base
Last but not least, we wrap up this list of no cities in Antarctica with New Zealand’s Scott Base. Nestled on Ross Island and named after Captain Robert Falcon Scott, the base has been around since 1957. It’s the southernmost point in the world you can reach by ship, so, if you’ve got that wanderlust itch and want to tell your friends you’ve been to the literal end of the Earth, Scott Base is your ticket.
How did you like this list of ‘cities in Antarctica’? Would you dare to visit the Icy Continent and uncover its settlements if given the chance? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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