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Year 9

Protecting Antarctica

I can explain how Antarctica is protected.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 9

Protecting Antarctica

I can explain how Antarctica is protected.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Antarctica is protected by the Antarctic Treaty.
  2. The Antarctic Treaty prevents mining, drilling and nuclear testing.
  3. Antarctica is part of the global commons.

Keywords

  • Antarctic Treaty - an international agreement to protect Antarctica

  • Global commons - resources or areas that belong to all humanity

  • Environmental protection - measures taken to preserve natural ecosystems

Common misconception

Antarctica is owned by a group of countries.

Antarctica is one of the global commons, meaning it belongs to all of humanity, not individual nations.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Protecting Antarctica, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Look on travel agent websites to see rules on travelling to Antarctica.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Where is Antarctica located?
North Pole
Correct answer: South Pole
Equator
Arctic Circle
Q2.
What is the climate like in Antarctica?
Hot and humid
Warm and tropical
Correct answer: Cold and dry
Mild and rainy
Q3.
Which of these animals can be found in Antarctica?
Lions
Correct answer: Penguins
Tigers
Elephants
Q4.
What is the main source of food for most animals in Antarctica?
Correct answer: Krill and fish
Plants
Ice
Fruits
Q5.
What is the primary reason for Antarctica’s extreme cold?
High humidity
Correct answer: Lack of sunlight and high altitude
Close proximity to the sun
Dense forests
Q6.
What is the main type of ice found in Antarctica?
Correct answer: Ice sheets
Glaciers
Icebergs
Snow

4 Questions

Q1.
Which international agreement was established to protect Antarctica from exploitation and ensure peaceful scientific research?
The Kyoto Protocol
The Paris Agreement
Correct answer: The Antarctic Treaty
Q2.
What is one major environmental concern for Antarctica?
Correct answer: Climate change and ice melt
Deforestation
Urbanisation
Q3.
Which of the following are goals of the Antarctic Treaty?
Correct answer: To ensure Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes and scientific research
To allow unrestricted mining of minerals
To promote military activity in Antarctica
To allow countries to claim parts of Antarctica as their own
Q4.
What is the 'Global Commons'?
Areas where countries fight for control of resources
Protected national parks around the world
Correct answer: Areas of Earth that are not owned by any single country and are shared
Areas that belong only to wealthy nations