The Ultimate Antarctica Vacation Quiz

Tourists are flocking to see Antarctica's vast landscapes of ice and snow, as well as its abundant wildlife population. Nature-loving tourists can enjoy activities such as kayaking or cross-country skiing.

Probably because it is located around the South Pole, Antarctica has more ice than any other place on the planet.

It's hard to believe that even though a staggering 99.5 percent of Antarctica's land mass is covered in ice, during Arctic winter, the ice sheet covering the continent gets even bigger.

At 5.4 million square miles (14.2 million square kilometers), Antarctica is the world's fifth largest continent, between Europe and South America.

During the winter in Antarctica, temperatures can fall as low as minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 68 degrees Celsius).

Antarctica's temperatures rarely rise above freezing, even during its warmest months -- November through February.

The most famous inhabitant of Antarctica is the penguin. This tuxedo-wearing bird lives in colonies on the Antarctic shore.

According to the terms of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, Antarctica is currently reserved for scientific research, preserving Antarctica as a war-free and nuclear-free zone.

Antarctica's frozen landscape is not hospitable to most land animal life, but the southern oceans are full of nutrients that sustain many species, including whales, sea birds and seals.

Tourist ships usually travel to Antarctica through southern Argentina or Chile, which have easy ocean access to the frozen continent.

Antarctica had a landmark year for tourism in 1969, when the first commercial cruise ship reached its shores. In the early 1990s, Antarctica had about 9,000 visitors a year.

More than 46,000 visitors visited Antarctica during 2007 and 2008, arriving by land, sea and air.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) was formed in 1991 to deal with the growing Antarctic tourism industry. Its roster now includes 102 tour companies.

Sightseeing cruises are the most popular type of vacation among tourists visiting Antarctica. Individuals or groups can go ashore for short periods to explore the landscape.

The Atlantic Treaty sets guidelines for visitors to Antarctica. They include: protect Antarctic wildlife, respect protected areas and scientific research, keep safe and keep Antarctica pristine.

The Lemaire Channel runs between the Booth Island Mountains and the Arctic Peninsula and is so magnificent that it is nicknamed Kodak Gap for its photogenic qualities.

A trip to Antarctica is not complete without a visit to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, an American research station named after the first two explorers to reach the South Pole -- Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott.

The most striking feature of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is its geodesic dome. Originally built in 1957, the station hosts about 50 scientists and staff in the winter, and as many as 150 in the summer.

To view penguins in their natural habitat, visit the Dawson-Lambton Glacier. The penguins live here in colonies, incubating eggs and raising chicks.

Mount Vinson, at approximately 4.5 miles (7 kilometers), is the highest peak in Antarctica.