How Did Humans Discover Antarctica?

Why Is the Vast Antarctic Continent Not Part of Any Country’s Territory?

As the southernmost place on Earth, Antarctica has always been a mysterious place in people’s minds.

Snow and ice almost completely cover the entire Antarctic continent, accounting for 80% of the world’s ice and snow coverage.

Icebergs float in the seas surrounding the Antarctic continent, and even in areas without ice and snow, there are living plants and animals.

Therefore, people are very curious about how such a magical place was discovered by humans and why, to this day, Antarctica is still not part of any country’s territory.

1. How Was Antarctica Discovered?

It is well known that the Norwegian explorer Amundsen was the first person to reach Antarctica, so many people believe that Amundsen was the first to discover Antarctica.

This is not true. Long before Amundsen, this southernmost continent had already been discovered by humans.

According to some Antarctic historians, the Antarctic continent was first noticed by humans in 1502. In that year, an Italian navigator claimed to have discovered a “new continent” at the southern end of the Earth.