Antarctica has no indigenous population and there is no evidence that it was seen by humans until the 19th century. However, belief in the existence of a Terra Australis—a vast continent in the far south of the globe to "balance" the northern lands of Europe, Asia and North Africa—had existed since the times of Ptolemy (1st century AD), who suggested the idea to preserve the symmetry of all known landmasses in the world. Even in the late 17th century, after explorers had found that South America and Australia were not part of the fabled "Antarctica", geographers believed that the continent was much larger than its actual size. COUNT 5
QSN1 When was the first time humans visited Antarctica? ANS1 19th century QSN2 What was Antarctica presumed to be by the ancient thinkers? ANS2 balance QSN3 What did Ptolemy suggest that a southern land mass would do to preserve?  ANS3 symmetry QSN4 Of what did early explores think Australia and South America were part? ANS4 Antarctica QSN5 Early geographers thought that Antarctica was what in size? ANS5 larger