Anguilla
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser
Antilles
Antarctica
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest
continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface
at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent
period; mostly uninhabitable
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with
many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor
Arctic Ocean
major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern
access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic
location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link
between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating
research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover
in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean;
snow cover lasts about 10 months
Argentina
second-largest country in South America (after Brazil);
strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic
and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,
Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical
climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is
the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon
is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
Armenia
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich
(Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Aruba
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches;
its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the
Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27
degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve
established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve
established in 2000
Atlantic Ocean
major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of
Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits
include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The
Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the
Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean
Australia
world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country;
population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts;
the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects
the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most
consistent winds in the world