Bulgarian Researchers Start Penguins Project in Antarctica

Society | January 15, 2003, Wednesday // 00:00

The last group of researchers from the Bulgarian Antarctic expedition leaves on January 18th. They will arrive on the Island of Livingstone on January 29th, Dr. Hristo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian Antarctic expedition announced. The Bulgarian polar base is on the island of Livingstone - one of the biggest in the South Shetlands Archipelago. The base consists of two buildings with the minimum of conveniences for living and work of fifteen people. The building of an Eastern Orthodox church is planned. Dr. Pimpirev said that most probably the construction could not start this year. During this season, the Bulgarian scientists will continue rocks research in he region and will begin a penguins monitoring project. They will implant chips in the bodies of the penguins to follow their behavior.

Bulgaria has the right to a veto on the use of the natural wealth and on territorial claims on Antarctica, having been accepted as a full-fledged member of the Antarctic Treaty in 1988. Together with another 26 states, it is member of the so-called polar government, which settles all questions concerning the fate of the continent.

Antarctica is the highest continent by its 5134 m above sea level, Mount Vincent in Western Antarctica is not the highest on Earth, Antarctica is a continent with the greatest average height of 2,300 m above sea level. Contributing to this is also the thick ice cap covering most of its territory. This is no doubt the coldest continent. The Russian Vostok Station, located on the ice plateau in eastern Antarctica at a height of 3,000 m above sea level, has measured the lowest temperature on Earth - minus 89,6 degrees C. Such a temperature is only comparable to the anticipated temperatures on the planet of Mars and that is why Antarctica can quite justifiably be compared to another planet.

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