The "refrigerator" of the Earth. Incredible facts about the mysterious and harsh Antarctica

In the very south of our planet there is a continent called Antarctica, shrouded in eternal cold. Its area is 14,107,000 km2. Interestingly, the mainland does not belong to any state; it is mainly occupied by groups of scientists conducting research, which are coordinated by the Scientific Committee of Antarctic Research.

Antarctica is the largest desert in the world. (Dave Pape)

Antarctica is the only continent in the world where reptiles are not found. (Baron Reznik/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

90% of the Earth's fresh water is located in Antarctica. (Baron Reznik/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Melting ice in Antarctica caused a slight shift in gravity in the region. Despite the fantastic nature of this statement, it is confirmed by research. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/CC BY 2.0)

There are no polar bears in Antarctica — they are found only in the Arctic. (Stefan Cook/CC BY-NC 2.0)

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth. (August Allen/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

You will not be able to work in Antarctica until you remove the appendix and wisdom teeth, even if they are absolutely healthy. This is due to the fact that it will be impossible to provide assistance on the spot. (James Morley/CC BY-NC 2.0)

The Antarctic ice sheet has existed for at least 40 million years. (Eli Duke/CC BY-SA 2.0)

Antarctica is the only continent without time zones. (Darren Tunnicliff/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The use of sled dogs in Antarctica has been prohibited since 1994. (gabri_micha/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

One of the scientists in Antarctica made a date with a girl from the polar station 45 minutes from his station, via the Tinder app. (Wayan Vota/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

There is only one ATM in the whole of Antarctica. (Leo Reynolds/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

The southernmost volcano on Earth is located in Antarctica. (Eli Duke/CC BY-SA 2.0)

In Antarctica there is a city belonging to Chile. There is a school, hospital, hotel, post office, Internet, television and mobile communication. (Mefisto29)

In the Eocene epoch, more than 40 million years ago, Antarctica was as warm as California. (Christopher Michel/CC BY 2.0)

There is a waterfall as red as blood in Antarctica. The reason is the oxidation of iron in contact with air. (DLR German Aerospace Center/CC BY 2.0)

There are seven churches in Antarctica. (nomis-simon/CC BY 2.0)

The highest temperature recorded in Antarctica was 14.5°C. (Christopher Michel/CC BY 2.0)