--- title: Antarctica: Discovery & Exploration: Mapping the Paths of Explorers Through a Continent of Ice author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/20240/antarctica-discovery--exploration/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2025-04-23 --- # Antarctica: Discovery & Exploration: Mapping the Paths of Explorers Through a Continent of Ice _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Antarctica: Discovery & Exploration: Mapping the Paths of Explorers Through a Continent of Ice](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20240.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/20240.png) ## Image Caption This map illustrates the exploration of the continent of Antarctica from the first voyages of the 18th century to the research stations of the 21st century. The map also shows the varied and competing national claims to slices of the Great White Continent. Exploration of the continent began in earnest with James Cook crossing the Antarctic Circle and circumnavigating the continent in 1773 without seeing land. In 1820, Fabian Bellingshausen led a Russian expedition that circumnavigated Antarctica and recorded one of the first sightings of the mainland. Over the following decades, explorers like Edward Bransfield, James Weddell, and Jules Dumont d’Urville charted sections of the coastline, while James Clark Ross discovered the Ross Sea and Ross Ice Shelf in the 1840s. In 1899, Carsten Borchgrevink led the first expedition to overwinter on the Antarctic mainland. The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (1897–1922) followed, defined by the race to the South Pole. Roald Amundsen reached it first in 1911, shortly before Robert Falcon Scott. An expedition led by Ernest Shackleton (1914–1917) attempted a continental crossing but failed. It wasn’t until 1957–1958 that the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by Vivian Fuchs with support from Edmund Hillary, completed the first successful overland crossing. The 1959 Antarctic Treaty established the continent for peaceful, scientific purposes. Today, multiple countries operate permanent research stations, enabling ongoing international collaboration. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2025, March 20). Antarctica: Discovery & Exploration: Mapping the Paths of Explorers Through a Continent of Ice. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Antarctica: Discovery & Exploration: Mapping the Paths of Explorers Through a Continent of Ice." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 20, 2025. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Antarctica: Discovery & Exploration: Mapping the Paths of Explorers Through a Continent of Ice." *World History Encyclopedia*, 20 Mar 2025, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 20 March 2025. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.