Antarctica (where the South Pole is located ) is the fifth-largest continent in the world, around twice the size of Australia. It's the world's most arid continent (technically a desert) and, at an average elevation of 2250m (7380ft), it's also the world's highest. The highest point is the 4897m (16,062ft)

Plant species in Antarctica are far more numerous than you might expect given the region's harsh climate and aridity, but they're all humble little life-forms. There are hundreds of species of algae, around 350 species of lichen, 100 species of moss, two grass species and a pearlwort. There are even some lichens and algae that grow inside rocks - endolithic plants. Of course the subantarctic islands support a much wider variety of flora species with

The largest of the endemic land-based animal species is a wingless midge (

The Norwegian invention of the exploding harpoon in 1870 revolutionised whaling and its impact was felt in the Antarctic waters as much as anywhere. Between 1904 and 1966, when the majority of whaling ceased, a total of 41,515 blue whales were caught along with 87,555 fins, 26,754 humpbacks, 15,128 seis and 3716 sperm whales - a total of 175,250 animals! And today around 300 whales are still taken from the Antarctic waters by the Japanese for 'research'; that is, they sell the flesh to fund their marine research programmes (whale meat is highly prized in Japanese eateries). Krill is harvested by the Japanese (and a small amount by Russia) at around 100,000 tonnes per anum. The long-line trawling techniques used for catching tuna in the Southern Ocean also manage to snare and drown about 40,000 albatrosses that steal bait from the lines. Iron ore, coal and other mineral deposits have been found on the continent but their quantities and qualities are unknown. Oil and natural gas are said to exist under the continental shelf but commercial exploitation is uneconomic.

Since 1988, two international conventions have been signed to protect the Antarctic from commercial mineral exploitation. The first was the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resources Activities (CRAMRA) signed by all 26 members of the Antarctic Treaty. Australia and then France repudiated their signatures preferring instead the Protocol on Environmental Protection signed in Madrid in 1991 again by all 26 members of the Antarctic Treaty. This protects the continent from all mining activities for 50 years. The convention requires that all 26 countries enact national legislation to make it international law, and this is yet to happen.

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The cost of sea cruises varies, but if you're getting much change from US$5000 for a 14-day circuit, it's not a bad deal; a few companies now offer cruises for under US$3000, but these are few and far between. Most ships have a range of accommodation options - if you don't mind bunking in with a few other penguin-spotters (and sharing the bathroom) you can reduce your bill significantly. At the other end of the scale, if you require a corner suite with a marble bathroom, private butler service and your own satellite telephone, you can start adding the zeroes.

Most Antarctic tour brochures carefully spell out what is not included in the price of the cruise. Typically, the additional costs of a cruise are for optional items including alcohol, laundry, faxes or phone calls, tips, souvenirs, extra helicopter time and massages. Watch out for operators who separate port taxes from their listed price as these are a hefty addition to the cost.

A chit system is generally used aboard ship, whereby you sign for purchases and reckon up at the end of your journey. Most ships accept credit cards and US dollars. On the bases you can usually pay in the national currency, US dollars and credit cards. Tipping is not included in the cruise but is a bit more than an optional extra. Generally US$10 a day is considered appropriate from each passenger.

Tourists cannot visit Antarctica during the winter; pack ice extends 1000km (620mi) around the continent making ship access impossible and the darkness (almost 24 hours a day) does not lift until summer time. Add to this the midwinter 'chill' - temperatures can be -80 or 90° Celsius - and you begin to realise that summer might be slightly more pleasant anyway.

October and November are early summer when the pack ice is breaking up and the birds, especially penguins, are courting and mating. December and January are the height of the austral summer and bring with them warmer weather, up to 20 hours of daylight each day and the bulk of the region's tourists. This is also the time when the penguins are hatching eggs and feeding chicks. In the late summer months of February and March there are terrific whale-watching opportunities and the adult penguins are ashore moulting. Remember also that some vessels visit Antarctica 10 or more times in a single season and the staff members and lecturers on these ships can become jaded and burnt out well before the end of the summer.