What is the Difference Between Antarctic and Antarctica?

The main difference between Antarctic and Antarctica lies in their definitions and the areas they encompass.

• Antarctica refers to the continent located in the Southern Hemisphere, near the South Pole. It is the fifth-largest continent and is almost entirely covered by an ice sheet. Antarctica is home to a variety of mountains, with some summits reaching altitudes of more than 4,500 meters (14,764 feet). The continent is divided into eastern and western regions by a mountain range.
• Antarctic refers to the region that includes Antarctica, as well as the surrounding island territories in the Southern Ocean and the floating ice sheets on the ocean. The Antarctic region is cold, remote, and encompassed by the Antarctic Convergence. The oceans surrounding Antarctica are relatively deep, reaching depths of 4,000 to 5,000 meters (13,123 to 16,404 feet).

In summary:

• Antarctica is the continent in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Antarctic is the region that includes the continent of Antarctica and the surrounding areas, such as islands and oceans.

Comparative Table: Antarctic vs Antarctica

The main difference between the Antarctic and Antarctica is that the Antarctic refers to the region south of about 66 degrees South latitude, within the Antarctic circle, while Antarctica is the continent located in the southern hemisphere. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

The Antarctic region is characterized by its cold climate, with temperatures ranging from -12.3°C to -62°C. Antarctica, on the other hand, is the coldest continent on Earth, with an average elevation of 2,300 meters (7,546 feet). The Antarctic region is a mixture of ice, snow, and some land masses, while Antarctica is 98% covered by an ice sheet. The Southern Ocean surrounds the Antarctica continent, and it is home to dozens of scientific bases, but no single country has sovereignty over it.