Q 01/05

The Geographic South Pole lies at which degree of latitude?

A) 45°

B) 90°

C) 66.5°

D) 80°

Answer · why

B) 90°

Its longitude is undefined because every meridian meets there; it lies about 1,300 km from the nearest open sea at the Bay of Whales.

Q 02/05

Who led the first party to reach the South Pole, on 14 December 1911?

A) Ernest Shackleton

B) Robert Falcon Scott

C) Roald Amundsen

D) Richard Byrd

Answer · why

C) Roald Amundsen

He named his camp Polheim and the surrounding plateau King Haakon VII Vidde.

Q 03/05

How many days after the Norwegians did Scott's party reach the Pole?

A) 100

B) 34

C) 40

D) 365

Answer · why

B) 34

Scott's diary recorded: 'Great God! This is an awful place'; all five men died on the return.

Q 04/05

At the South Pole, which compass direction do all directions point?

A) East

B) North

C) South

D) West

Answer · why

B) North

All lines of longitude converge there, so directions are given relative to 'grid north' along the prime meridian.

Q 05/05

During which months does the South Pole receive no sunlight at all?

A) May through August

B) November through February

C) September through December

D) January through April

Answer · why

A) May through August

In the summer the sun stays continuously above the horizon but never climbs higher than about 23.5 degrees.