Antarctica is one of the last untouched frontiers on the planet. A largely uninhabitable region, 98{ecfc4ee724a1da8611107b4424ac6f026dde6a5eb9d21a7365e176a915618551} of Antarctica is covered in ice so thick it plunges to an average depth of 1.9 km. It is also the coldest place on earth and has one of the highest elevations. Although it is the fifth- largest continent, it is only inhabited by some 5000 people, mainly scientists, who have been known to take up residence in the region at different times of the year.