Antarctica is the Earth's southernmost continent. At 14.2 million km2 it is the fifth-largest continent in terms of total area. This makes it the second largest country in the world behind Russia. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages 1.9 km in thickness. It is a land of extremes and not only the coldest place, but also the windiest, highest (on average), and driest on the planet.
Antarctica does not belong to any one country. Its lands, ice shelves, and snow have no nationality, thus, there is no 'Government of Antarctica'. This is largely as there are no Indigenous peoples. The only structures are scientific stations that people visit for short time periods. The continent is a de facto condominium ruled by parties to the Antarctic Treaty System that have conferring status. The Treaty was signed in Washington, United States on the 1st December 1959 and now includes 54 countries. The Antarctic Treaty System is of great strategic importance to Australia and New Zealand as it demilitarises all land and ice shelves below 60 degree S, and establishes an international order based on peace, cooperation, science, environmental protections and the management of marine living resources in the Southern Ocean.