The Drake Passage divides South America from Antarctica. It is a narrow stretch of water located between Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica.
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The Drake Passage serves as the division between South America and Antarctica, separating the two regions by a relatively narrow stretch of water. It extends from Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, to the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. This passage is renowned for its turbulent waters and extreme weather conditions, making it a challenging route for maritime travel.
Interesting facts about the Drake Passage:
- Named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who was the first recorded person to navigate these treacherous waters in 1578.
- It is approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) wide and 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) long.
- The Drake Passage is the shortest route connecting Antarctica with the rest of the world’s landmasses.
- The convergence of the cold Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the warmer northern waters creates a unique and rich marine ecosystem.
- The passage serves as a critical migratory route for numerous species of whales, seals, and seabirds during their seasonal journeys.
- Antarctic cruises often traverse the Drake Passage, providing travelers with the opportunity to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Antarctic continent.
- Due to its fierce winds and frequent storms, the Drake Passage is sometimes referred to as the “roaring forties” or the “furious fifties,” reflecting the challenging weather conditions encountered by sailors.
- The passage is known for its incredibly deep waters, with depths reaching up to 8,047 meters (26,401 feet).
- The geographic isolation of Antarctica, partly due to the Drake Passage, has contributed to the continent’s unique scientific value, enabling the study of ancient climate records and pristine ecosystems.
- The Drake Passage has captured the fascination of explorers, scientists, and adventurers throughout history. As famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton once said, “It is in the region of storms where i like to be.”
Table of distances between key locations:
| Location | Distance to Previous Point (km) |
|---|---|
| Cape Horn | – |
| Staten Island | 54 |
| Elephant Island | 1,656 |
| South Shetland Islands | 15 |
| Antarctic Peninsula | 120 |
| Bellingshausen Sea | 655 |
| Amundsen Sea | 1,475 |
| Ross Sea | 650 |
| McMurdo Station | 310 |
| South Pole | 1,408 |
Note: Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the specific route taken.
In conclusion, the Drake Passage stands as the dividing line between South America and Antarctica, presenting a formidable waterway known for its challenging conditions and unique marine ecosystem. As travelers venture through this passage, they embark on a journey shaped by historic explorations and the untamed forces of nature. The allure of the Drake Passage lies not only in its physical characteristics but also in its ability to inspire the human spirit to conquer the unknown, as emphasized by Sir Ernest Shackleton’s quote.
Response via video
The YouTube video “Why is Antarctica Divided? (Short Animated Documentary)” explains how Antarctica came to be divided among different countries. After the discovery of the continent, various nations like Britain, Norway, France, and Germany scrambled to claim territories. However, the priorities shifted during World War II, and after the war, the United States conducted expeditions that caused concerns among other claimants. To prevent conflict and new claims, the Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959. The treaty banned new claimants, demilitarized Antarctica, and designated it as a scientific haven. Although this halted further claims, tensions among existing claimants still persist.
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Drake PassageDrake Passage, south of Cape Horn, separates South America from Antarctica.
The Drake Passage, south of Cape Horn, separates South America from Antarctica.
South-Atlantic Ocean. Explanation: South-Atlantic Ocean separates South America from Antarctica.
South America is bounded by the Caribbean Sea to the northwest and north, the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast, east, and southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Drake Passage, south of Cape Horn, separates South America from Antarctica.
The Cape marks the northern edge of the Drake Passage, the strait separating South America from Antarctica. Weather and sea conditions are notoriously changeable in the region, and consequently it was nearly 200 years before the Antarctic continent was discovered, less than 400 miles to the south of the Cape.
Drake Passage, south of Cape Horn, separates South America from Antarctica. Relatively few islands rim the continent, except in the south. These include the glaciated coastal archipelagoes of Argentina and Chile. The Falkland (Malvinas) Islands are east of southern Argentina.
It provides the main connection between the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The tightest geographical constriction through which the current flows is Drake Passage, where only 800 km separates South America from Antarctica.
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Furthermore, What separates South America from Antarctica? In reply to that: Note: The Drake Passage to the south of Cape Horn separates the continent of Antarctica from South America.
Regarding this, How close is the bottom of South America to Antarctica? Answer will be: about 600 miles
The distance from the tip of South America to Antarctica is about 600 miles. The countries closest to Antarctica are Argentina and Chile. Most of the travel to Antarctica occurs from these countries in South America. Most cruises begin in Ushuaia, Argentina but some start in other port towns in Argentina and Chile.
What is the gap between Argentina and Antarctica?
the Drake Passage
History of the Drake Passage
This stretch of sea is where the Southern Ocean surges through an 800km-wide gap between the tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, creating a sometimes turbulent environment. The Drake Passage is also known as the Mar de Hoces (Sea of Hoces) in Spanish.
Furthermore, What is the closest point from South America to Antarctica? Answer: Vice Comodoro Marambio
South America is the closest continent to Antarctica. The closest point of South America is shared by Argentina and Chile. The Argentinian station Vice Comodoro Marambio is on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s only 1,238 km south of Ushuaia in Argentina.
Regarding this, Which Ocean separates South America from Antarctica?
The answer is: The Ocean that separate’s South America from Antarctica is the Southern Ocean. The Sea that separates the tip of South America from the Antarctic peninsula is called the Scotia Sea. The Drake Passage seperates South America and the Antarctic, sitting, as it does between Tierra Del Fuego and the Antarctic Shetland Islands.
In respect to this, How is Antarctica divided?
The answer is: Antarctica is divided into West Antarctica and East Antarctica by the Transantarctic Mountains, which stretch from Victoria Land to the Ross Sea. The vast majority of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, which averages 1.9 km (1.2 mi) in thickness.
Accordingly, How fast did Antarctica and South America separate?
During the Late Paleocene-Early Eocene Antarctica and South America separated at a rate of only 0.3 cm/yr.
Where is Antarctica located? The reply will be: Positioned asymmetrically around the South Pole and largely south of the Antarctic Circle (one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the world), Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. [note 2] Rivers exist in Antarctica, the longest is the Onyx.