Antarctica is an inhospitable place. There are no towns or cities. In fact,
nobody lives there permanently, except for a few scientists. They work on special bases, studying the climate and ecosystem.
However, things are now beginning to change. Since the 1980s, polar tourism has been growing rapidly. Recently, polar cruises have become popular because of the beauty of the polar landscape and the wildlife.
Cruises cost a lot because the ships need to be very strong to break the ice.
However, more and more tourists go on them. During the day, the tourists sail in small boats between icebergs and visit beaches and glaciers.
Unfortunately, this tourism is starting to cause problems. Scientific studies show that the tourists are now destroying the ecosystem of the Antarctic.
For example, the numbers of some species of wildlife are going down rapidly.
Many ecologists now feel that we should leave this beautiful continent alone