East Antarctica

It is generally greater in elevation than West Antarctica, and includes the Gamburtsev Mountain Range in the center.

There are no trees or shrubs, as only very limited plant life can survive here; the flora consists of lichens, moss, and algae that are adapted to the cold and wind, and cling to rocks.

There are no large land animals but bacteria, nematodes, springtails, mites, and midges live on the mosses and lichens.

[1]The remote and extremely cold bulk of Antarctica remains almost entirely untouched by human intervention.

The area is protected by the Antarctic Treaty System which bans industrial development, waste disposal and nuclear testing, while the Barwick Valley, one of the Dry Valleys, Mount Rittmann, and Cryptogam Ridge on Mount Melbourne are specially protected areas for their undisturbed plant life.

Map of Antarctica with Eastern Antarctica seen to the right.
Image of a variety of ice types off the coast of East Antarctica.
Geographical map of Antarctica