Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest
continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the
continents. It used to be ice-free until about 34 million years ago when it became covered with ice. Only 2% of Antarctica has no ice. There are no indigenous people on the frozen continent. Today, human habitation exists at a variety of scientific research stations managed by more than 20 countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Japan, France, and Germany. Antarctica is a fairy tale world of giant icebergs and charismatic wildlife and remains one of the most remote landscapes on earth.