An up-to-date and authoritative one-volume reference offering comprehensive coverage of the biology, climatology, oceanography, geology, history and current legal, political and human aspects of the Antarctic continent and the surrounding ocean and islands. Edited by Dr Bernard Stonehouse - a research scientist, writer and editor with wide-ranging field experience of Antarctica and the southern oceans Entries from 25 eminent contributors, writing under the direction of six advisory editors, ensures an up-to-date and authoritative presentation Comprehensive geographical coverage, including lands, coasts, major mountain ranges and individual features, all with co-ordinates and brief descriptions, and many in-text maps Includes study guides, offering 2-3000 words on key topics, which enable the user to follow themes of interest systematically and thematically, with key words linking to the A-Z entries within the Encyclopedia Features an eight page, fold-out coloured map section of the continent showing major geographical features Offers wide cross-disciplinary coverage of Antarctic and southern oceans from politics and sovereignty to marine zoology Written in a simple, straightforward style Provides essential reading for all researchers and academics working in climatology, oceanography, geology and biology, as well as Polar researchers