The Continent of Antarctica Correct! Antarctica is considered a desert environment. It receives about the same amount of rainfall as the Sahara Desert! And since average temperatures never go above 0 Celsius (32 Fahrenheit)—the freezing point of water—snowfall virtually never melts. About 4,000 people live on and study the Antarctic continent during the summer months (December through March). What do you know about living and working in Antarctica? Test your knowledge at It's a Cold Living. Image: National Science Foundation Stories in the Ice | Antarctic Almanac | Water World | Live and Breathe Antarctica Teacher's Guide | Resources | Transcript Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated November 2000