Here in the most inhospitable place on Earth, temperatures can reach -90 C and winds on the eastern shores blow at an average of 80 kilometers per hour.
Even the place names suggest a wild and dangerous land: Terror Gulf, Deception Island, Disenchantment Bay.
The human population of Antarctica, mainly there to conduct research, varies from about 1,000 in winter to 4,500 in summer.
But the sea ice and waters are home to some of the planet`s most impressive bird life, as well as fish, squid, whales and seals.
Award-winning Italian photographer Alex Bernasconi has traveled the world capturing images of nature and wildlife. He photographed some of the world`s most dangerous predators.
His new book, "Blue Ice," a followup to 2010`s "Wild Africa," is the result of an expedition around Antarctica and South Georgia.
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