Antarctica is an ocean.
Antarctica ( UK English [ ænˈtɑːktɪkə ] or [ ænˈtɑːtɪkə ] , US English [ æntˈɑːrktɪkə ] ) is Earth 's southernmost continent . At 14000000 km2 , it is the fifth-largest continent . A continent is one of several very large landmasses on Earth . A desert is a barren area of land where little precipitation occurs and consequently living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life .