This spectacularly illustrated book is the only complete guide to the
wildlife and natural history of the vast and beautiful Antarctic
region. Covering the Antarctic continent, the southern ocean, and the
subantarctic islands, this guide illustrates all of the region's
breeding birds and marine mammals with stunning colour photographs. In
addition to the colour plates, it features distribution maps and
up-to-date species accounts expertly detailing abundance, seasonal
status, and conservation prospects.

The
volume also covers numerous nonbreeding species, migrants, and
vagrants. Regional chapters describe all of the subantarctic islands,
in addition to most regularly visited sites in Antarctica, and are
accompanied by maps of each area and photographs of each locale. These
chapters present detailed information on geography, climate, geology,
general ecology, and flora. They also address conservation efforts -
past, present, and planned. The book concludes with practical
information about visiting the area, including details on the
best-available landing sites and notes on seasonal weather conditions.
This is an indispensable companion for a trip far south, as well as an
informative volume for anyone interested in the Antarctic region's
remarkable, occasionally strange, and frequently beautiful animals.