Final answer:
The population of Antarctica consists primarily of researchers and staff at research stations, with numbers peaking at around 5,000 in the summer. The continent also sees a number of tourists, and it's divided among various claimant countries according to historical claims, although territorial claims are regulated by the Antarctic Treaty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most of Antarctica's population is made up of personnel at various research stations. Roughly 1,000 individuals reside there throughout the year, with the number swelling to around 5,000 during the summer months when research activity peaks. These stations have a rotation system for scientists, technical staff, and support personnel, including service workers and sometimes even religious figures, with assignments lasting from several months up to a year.
The inhospitable climate largely defines why there are no large-scale, permanent human settlements on the continent. Climate and human habitation are closely linked; the extreme cold and the angle of solar radiation contribute to Antarctica having only temporary human presence. This transitory population comprises researchers and during the austral summer, an influx of tourists. Moreover, the continent is home to the first permanent base, the Omond House, since 1903.
It is also noteworthy that Antarctica has various claimant countries with pie-shaped territorial sections, although these claims are regulated by the Antarctic Treaty. One significant area, Marie Byrd Land, is an unclaimed territory. The continent's geographic and political facts are essential for understanding human activities and territorial presence within.