Final answer:
Antarctica without the ice sheet would be considerably smaller; some estimate it would be only about 100,000 square miles in land area, or the equivalent of the physical area of the US state of Colorado.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antarctica without the ice sheet would be considerably smaller; some estimate it would be only about 100,000 square miles in land area, or the equivalent of the physical area of the US state of Colorado. The square miles of Antarctica compared to other nations is a topic of particular interest in geography. Currently, with its vast ice sheet in place, Antarctica's total area is about 5.5 million square miles, making it the fifth-largest continent. This is almost twice the size of Australia. Antarctica's ice sheet is incredibly thick, averaging up to a mile deep and holding about 70 percent of the Earth's fresh water. Should all the ice melt, estimates suggest that Antarctica without the ice sheet would have a land area of only about 100,000 square miles, equivalent to the size of Colorado. This drastic reduction showcases the significant impact the ice sheet has on the continent's total area. In comparison to other nations, if ice-free, Antarctica would rank lower in terms of land area, similar to other mid-sized countries around the world. The possibility of ice melting raising sea levels is also a concern for many coastal regions globally. Antarctica is divided into sections with various nations holding territorial claims, although the continent is governed by international treaty which prohibits military activity and supports scientific research.