Even in the late 17th century, after explorers had found that South America and Australia were not part of the fabled "Antarctica", geographers believed that the continent was much larger than its actual size.
Endnu henimod slutningen af det 17. århundrede, efter at opdagere fandt ud af at Sydamerika og Australien ikke var en del af myten om "Antarktis", troede geografer, at kontinentet var meget større end dets faktiske størrelse.