Antarctica is in a polar region.
The Antarctic ( US English [ æntˈɑrktɪk ] , UK English [ ænˈtɑrktɪk ] or [ æntˈɑrtɪk ] and [ ænˈtɑrtɪk ] or [ ænˈɑrtɪk ] ) is a polar region , specifically the region around the Earth 's South Pole , opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole . Antarctica . About 98 % of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages 1.9 km in thickness , which extends to all but the northernmost reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula . Ice . It is abundant on Earth 's surfaceparticularly in the polar regions and above the snow lineand , as a common form of precipitation and deposition , plays a key role in Earth 's water cycle and climate . The polar regions of Earth , also known as Earth 's frigid zones , are the regions of Earth surrounding its geographical poles ( the North and South Poles ) .