Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. Antarctica is considered a desert, with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 in) along the coast and far less inland. The temperature in Antarctica has reached −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F), though the average for the third quarter (the coldest part of the year) is −63 °C (−81 °F). There are no permanent human residents, but anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at the research stations scattered across the continent. Organisms native to Antarctica include many types of algae, bacteria, fungi, plants, protista, and certain animals, such as mites, nematodes, penguins, seals and tardigrades. Vegetation, where it occurs, is tundra. COUNT 10
QSN1 What type of land is Antarctica considered to be? ANS1 desert QSN2 What is Antarctica's annual precipitation along the coast? ANS2 200 mm (8 in) QSN3 What is Antarctica's average temperature during the coldest part of the year? ANS3 −63 °C (−81 °F) QSN4 Approximately how many people live throughout the year at research stations across Antarctica? ANS4 anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 QSN5 What are some animals native to Antarctica? ANS5 mites, nematodes, penguins, seals and tardigrades QSN6 Which continent is the highest in elevation? ANS6 Antarctica QSN7 What is the annual precipitation rate of coastal Antarctica? ANS7 200 mm QSN8 What is the average coldest temperature? ANS8 −63 °C QSN9 What is the coldest recorded temperature? ANS9 −89.2 °C QSN10 Ehat is the vegetation type on Antarctica?  ANS10 tundra