What does the word Antarctica mean?

The name Antarctica is the romanised version of the Greek compound word ἀνταρκτική (antarktiké), feminine of ἀνταρκτικός (antarktikós), meaning “opposite to the Arctic”, “opposite to the north”.

Is the C in Antarctica silent?

The words Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica were originally pronounced without the first /k/, but the spelling pronunciation has become very common. The first ” c ” was originally added to the spelling for etymological reasons and was then misunderstood as not being silent .

What are the 14 countries in Antarctica?

Today, seven countries have territories on Antarctica : France (Adélie Land) United Kingdom (British Antarctic Territory) New Zealand (Ross Dependency) Norway (Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land) Australia (Australian Antarctic Territory) Chile (Chilean Antarctic Territory) Argentina (Argentine Antarctica )

Is Antarctica a proper noun?

proper noun A continent round the South Pole , situated mainly within the Antarctic Circle and almost entirely covered by ice sheets.

Has anyone been born in Antarctica?

At least 11 children have been born in Antarctica . The first was Emilio Marcos Palma, born on 7 January 1978 to Argentine parents at Esperanza, Hope Bay, near the tip of the Antarctic peninsula. At least 8 live births were recorded at Esperanza Base between 1978 and 1983.

What is another word for Antarctica?

n. Antarctic Zone, antarctic , south frigid zone.

What is the hardest word to say?

The Most Difficult English Word To Pronounce Colonel. Penguin. Sixth. Isthmus. Anemone. Squirrel. Choir. Worcestershire.

What is the most mispronounced word in the world?

karaoke

Is it pronounced Nike or Nikey?

Nike chairman Phillip Knight has confirmed that it’s ” Nikey ” not ” Nike “, meaning I’ve essentially been talking nonsense for years. The great pronunciation debate, second only to that of ‘gif’ and ‘jif’, came to a head after Knight was sent a letter asking him to circle the correct way of saying the brand name.

Why is Antarctica banned?

Antarctica is not a country: it has no government and no indigenous population. Instead, the entire continent is set aside as a scientific preserve. The Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in 1961, enshrines an ideal of intellectual exchange. Military activity is banned , as is prospecting for minerals.

Is it illegal to go to Antarctica?

Tourists are banned from staying ashore and are strictly regulated as to what they can and cannot do. They are hated by scientists who “won” the continent under the 1959 Antarctic treaty and are reluctant to relinquish it or share it with others.

Which country is the closest to Antarctica?

The nearest countries to Antarctica are South Africa , Australia , New Zealand , Chile and Argentina . On Antarctica there are no cities or villages, 98% of the continent is covered by ice.

Is Antarctica a word?

noun. the continent surrounding the South Pole : almost entirely covered by an ice sheet.

What does Antarctica mean in Latin?

Etymology. From New Latin Antarctica , from Ancient Greek ἀνταρκτικός (antarktikós), from ἀντ- (ant-, “ant-, against, opposed”) + ἀρκτικός (arktikós, “Arctic”), from Ancient Greek ἄρκτος (árktos, “bear”)