Antarctic is experiencing a population boom. For a long time completely uninhabited, ex cept for penguins, it now has 2,000 in habitants. A gain of 2,000 per cent and more would be a matter for boasting for the proudest community. The new arrivals belong to various exploring expeditions, which come from a dozen different countries. Besides the United States, Antarctica now has visi tors from Argentina, Australia, Bel gium, Chile, France, Great Britain, Jap an, New Zealand, Norway, Russia and South Africa. Germany and Spain are expected to join the procession before long. Despite this influx of newcomers Antarctica is still a good place for the lover of open spaces who does not wish to see a neighbor's chimney smoke.