Vinson /Mount Vinson – Parent Information

Continent:

Country: Antarctica is not a country. The land is managed under the Antarctic Treaty (1959) by the 12 countries involved in scientific studies on the at that time. It now includes 48 countries from around the world.

Height: 4892m (16 050 ft)

Interesting facts:

• Climbing Vinson is not considered technically difficult, but Antarctica's extreme climate makes ascending Vinson a serious undertaking. • Vinson Massif was discovered in January 1958 by U.S. Navy aircraft. • In 1961, the Vinson Massif was named by USACAN, for Carl G. Vinson, congressman from the state of , for his support for Antarctic exploration. On Nov. 1, 2006, USACAN declared Mount Vinson and Vinson Massif to be separate entities.[ • The climate on Mount Vinson is generally controlled by the polar ice cap's high-pressure system, creating predominantly stable conditions but, as in any polar climate, high winds and snowfall are a possibility. • During the summer season, November through January, there are 24 hours of sunlight. While the average temperature during these months is −30 °C (−20 °F), the intense sun will melt snow on dark objects. • During winter months, low temperatures cause much of the seas around Antarctica to freeze. At maximum sea ice covers an area larger than the continent itself. • The experiences a six month period of darkness in winter and a six month period of sunlight in summer. • Antarctica is the only continent in the world with no permanent or indigenous human inhabitants. Larger than the United States, the frozen land is populated by approximately 2,500 people during the summer and fewer than 1,000 in the winter.