The Belgica

The first international scientific expedition to the South Pole was led by a Belgian, Adrien de Gerlache. He left for Antarctica in August 1897 on board the Belgica.

For two years scientists carried out oceanographic and meteorological measurements, mapping the Gerlache Strait, making an inventory of the local terrestrial fauna and taking samples of marine life. They brought back so many newly discovered species to the museum that it took nearly fifty years to study them all.

Listen to the exciting account of the expedition, watch it on screen and discover the results.