Photo: Sunset, Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica, and almost the only part of that continent that extends outside the Antarctic Circle. It lies in the Western Hemisphere, facing South America. The peninsula is highly mountainous, its highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet). These mountains are considered to be a continuation of the Andes of South America. Since the peninsula has the mildest climate in Antarctica, the highest concentration of research stations on the continent can be found there.