Antarctica's Elevation: Average 7,200 ft, Highest 16,050 ft (Mount Vinson)

Antarctica is the highest continent on average:

• Mean elevation: 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level.
• Highest point: Mount Vinson (Sentinel Range, Ellsworth Mountains) – 4,892 meters (16,050 feet).
• Ice thickness: Average 2,160 m; max 4,776 m. The ice sheet is the elevation.
• Lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench – 2,555 m below sea level (ice-covered).

Why so high? Massive ice sheet (26.5M km³) depresses bedrock isostatically; if ice melted, continent would rise ~500 m over millennia.

Comparison: Asia (avg 1,010 m), North America (760 m), Europe (300 m). Antarctica's elevation drives its extreme cold (lapse rate), katabatic winds, and unique atmospheric science.