Antarctica: Size, Landforms & Elevation Extremes

Size & Shape

• Area: 14.2 million km² (5.5M sq mi) – 5th largest continent; ~2× Australia.
• Shape: Roughly circular, ~4,000 km diameter.

Elevation

• Average height: 2,000 m (6,560 ft) – highest continent average.
• Highest point: Vinson Massif, 4,892 m (16,050 ft).
• Lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench, −2,555 m (−8,383 ft) below sea level.

Regions

• East Antarctica: Single large continental block (larger, higher, colder).
• West Antarctica: Archipelago of islands/peninsulas connected by ice shelves.

Coastline & Plate

• Coastline: 17,968 km (11,165 mi).
• Sits on the Antarctic Plate (4th largest tectonic plate).

Surrounded by the Southern Ocean; 98% ice‑covered.