What's Hidden Under Antarctica Will Transform Geopolitics

Antarctica might be the most hostile place on Earth. It's the coldest continent on the planet. Temperatures can fall below minus 80 degrees Celsius. It's the windiest place on Earth, with gusts powerful enough to knock people off their feet. It's also the driest continent on Earth, making it the world's largest desert. During winter, much of Antarctica doesn't see the sun for months at a time. There are no cities, no permanent residents and almost no way of surviving without supplies constantly arriving from thousands of kilometres away. Simply getting there was once considered one of the greatest challenges on Earth. By almost every measure… Antarctica is a terrible place to be. But regardless, Every year, thousands of scientists, engineers, pilots, mechanics and support staff travel to Antarctica. More than 70 research stations are scattered across the continent, operated by around 30 different countries. And they're not doing it because it's easy. Or cheap. Or comfortable. So why? Why does a continent with no permanent population attract so much international attention? Why do countries keep building new research stations in a place where nobody is allowed to own the land? And why are governments willing to spend enormous amounts of money maintaining a presence in what is, on the surface, little more than a frozen desert? Well, Antarctica isn't just a frozen wasteland at the bottom of the world. It has slowly become one of the most strategically fascinating places on Earth.