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Drift ice is the sea ice of the Southern Ocean. It extends far north in winter and retreats almost to the coastline each summer. Sea ice is frozen seawater that is usually less than a few meters thick. This is in contrast to ice shelves, which are formed by glaciers, float in the sea, and are up to a kilometer thick. There are two subdivisions of sea ice: fast ice, which is attached to land; and ice floes, which are not.

Sea ice in the Southern Ocean melts from the bottom instead of from the surface like Arctic ice because it is covered in snow. As a result, melt ponds are rarely observed. On average, Antarctic sea ice is younger, thinner, warmer, saltier, and more mobile than Arctic sea ice. Due to its inaccessibility, it is not as well-studied as Arctic ice.

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In the news

Sir Charles Ross

• 28 Oct - Icebreaker Akademik Tryoshnikov departs St. Petersburg on a Brazilian-Russian expedition.
• 03 Oct - Sir Charles Ross resigns as Foreign Minister.
• 02 Sep - The Scranton Times Leader publishes a major news article on the history of Westarctica.
• 12 Jun - Grand Duke Travis becomes engaged to Countess de Ferrero
• 06 Jun - Westarctica's Parachute Regiment conducts jumps in Normandy.
• 15 Mar - Viceroys are appointed to rule the colonies of Westarctica.

This month in history Flag of Westarctica in Antarctica 02 November - The Claimant Letter is sent to the polar administration offices of Russia, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Actual date of the foundation of the Achaean Territory. (2001) 02 November - Grand Duke Travis hosts Westarctica's 15th Anniversary Celebration in Hollywood, California. (2016) 02 November - The first Chiefs of Mission Meeting is held in Berlin. (2018) 06 November - Westarctica's 20th Anniversary Celebration occurs in Charlotte, North Carolina. (2021) 07 November - Grand Duke Travis and Prince Dinny become legally divorced. (2022) 07 November - The Senate of Westarctica renames McHenry Range and Tulier Glacier. (2023) 09 November - A state visit between Angyalistan and Westarctica occurs in Paris, France. (2018) 13 November - The Statue of Autonomy for the Viscounty of Siple is approved by the Grand Duke. It establishes a legislative branch within the Viscounty and increases the Viscount of Siple's power over his region. (2004) 13 November - Grand Duke Travis marries Cathryn, the Marquise of Walgreen, in a private ceremony. She is officially proclaimed the Grand Duchess. (2004) 15 November - Many of the Consul-General's friends are invested as members of the Old Guard: George Morin, Duke of Ellsworth; Joseph Day, Duke of Walgreen; Neil Whitmoyer, Duke of Whitmore; and Benjamin King, Duke of Rockefeller. All members accept their titles except Benjamin, who quits his role as an adviser to the Consul-General. (2001) 19 November - Raphania becomes a colony of Westarctica, ending the Westarctica-Raphania War. (2022) 20 November - Knighthoods in the Noble Order of Westarctica are bestowed on 11 reigning monarchs from around the world. (2004) 20 November - The Flag of Westarctica arrives at D'Hainaut Island. (pictured) (2023) 22 November - Requests for diplomatic recognition are sent to the governments of Taiwan, Latvia, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. (2004) 23 November - The Flag of Westarctica arrives on the Antarctic Peninsula. (2023) 24 November - Grand Duchess Cathryn gives birth to Prince Daniel Nicholas, the second heir to the throne of Westarctica. (2005) 25 November - Grand Duke Travis attends the 2023 Dracul State Visit with Dracul. (2023)

Featured image A micronation is an entity that claims to be an independent nation or state but is not generally recognized by world governments or major international organizations. Micronations are distinguished from imaginary countries and from other kinds of social groups (such as eco-villages, campuses, tribes, clans, and sects) by expressing a formal and persistent, even if unrecognized, claim of sovereignty over some physical territory. Micronations are also distinct from true secessionist movements; micronations' activities are almost always peaceful enough to be ignored rather than challenged by the established nations whose territory they claim. Photographer: Princess Edith of Homestead (More Images)

Featured Quote "I wish to continue all of the work that our founding father has started, and continue to strive for recognition of Westarctica." - Duke of Ravencroft

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