Icebergs, Antarctica Dec 1, 2024

The name "Antarctica" is derived from Ancient Greek word "antarktikos," meaning opposite the Arctic. The concept of an "Antarctic region" was first mentioned by Greek philosopher Aristotle around 350 BCE. Despite this early reference, it wasn"t until the 19th century that humans actually laid eyes on Antarctica. It is the coldest, driest and windiest of the Earth"s continents, with temperatures plunging as low as -80 degrees Celsius. Vast ice sheets and glaciers found here hold about 70% of the world"s fresh water. The waters are dotted with icebergs, as seen in today"s image, which drift across the Southern Ocean and gradually melt over time. Species like Emperor and Adélie penguins, along with seals, mites, roundworms and moss piglets, have made this icy habitat their permanent home.

© Art Wolfe/DanitaDelimont.com

palette

Today in History

Dec 1, 2023Jasper National Park, Canada
Dec 1, 2025Natural arch carved in an iceberg, Antarctica

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 27, 2023Río Negro, Amazon basin, Brazil
Apr 13, 2024Apple trees in spring, Germany
Jun 6, 2024Greater flamingos at Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, Camargue, France
Nov 1, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Nov 13, 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain
May 21, 2025Tea garden at Yangjiatang Village, Songyang County, China
Jan 12, 2024Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
Oct 10, 2024Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
June 2, 2026Highway through Xitai Jinaier Lake, Qinghai Province, China
Feb 23, 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Sep 6, 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
Dec 13, 2025Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Oct 7, 2023Grizzly bears, Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA
Sept 12, 2026California sea lions, offshore Mexico, Pacific Ocean
Feb 26, 2024Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Dec 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy
July 17, 2026Vai, Crete, Greece
Nov 13, 2024Sea lion in a kelp forest, Baja California, Mexico
May 3, 2026Leopard sleeping in a tree in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Aug 25, 2025Calcite Springs Overlook and Yellowstone River, Wyoming, United States
Sep 13, 2023Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, India
Aug 2, 2024Saint-François, Guadeloupe, Caribbean
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Nov 7, 2023Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
Oct 13, 2025Waterfall at Wimbachklamm Gorge, Bavaria, Germany
July 22, 2026Port de Saint-Goustan, Auray, Brittany, France
Sep 17, 2023Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Jul 10, 2024Collared aracari
Feb 18, 2025The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Jul 25, 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA