Antarctica

Antarctica is located at the South Pole and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Over 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice. It is the driest and coldest continent on earth. Antarctica is the fifth largest continent based on size, but it is the smallest in population with an official population of 0 (although some people do visit for scientific research).

It's the coldest, largest desert of the world, but in growing numbers, tourists are making their way to Antarctica.

Read a bio about David Bjerklie, a science writer traveling to the icy continent for TIME For Kids

Ready for an online web-quest? Your mission is, along with a partner, to answer a series of questions about real penguins. You will need to use books, magazines and other resources to finish this online quest. Good Luck!

Things to Know The fifth largest continent. Onthis continent no people live. Groups of scientists come for periods of time to study this frigid land. Many countries operate science stations in Antarctica, but no nation owns the land. Animals Antarctica has lots of animals in the sea -- whales, fish, krill (small crustaceans like prawns), seals.