Over $300,000 spent on Azeris` Antarctica trip
250,000 manats (some $310,000) have been spent to
arrange a recent trip of an Azerbaijani expedition to Antarctica,
said Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyn Baghirov, who
was one of the two people that made the month-long trip.
Baghirov told a press conference Tuesday that the funds had been spent to provide the expedition members with special beds resistant to 60-degree cold, goose-feather jackets slated for temperatures of 50 degrees below zero, moisture-resistant clothing, and special Canada-made footwear for skiing in mountainous areas. The funds were also channeled into leasing a plane and transportation costs. The Western University of Baku incurred a lion`s share of the expenses, while a small share of the spending was covered by the minister`s personal funds.
The expedition carried out scientific research, persevering temperatures ranging between -35 and -40. The scholars conducted over 500 observations and measurements regarding climatic and meteorological phenomena.
Baghirov said such trips would be made in the future as well, but he did not specify the timing and make-up of future expeditions.
The Azerbaijani expedition is the first group from Islamic nations and CIS states that has reached the South Pole by using skis and special footwear designed to walk on ice. The group spent 31 out of the 37 days of the trip in the Antarctica.
The expedition members hoisted an Azerbaijani flag as well as a bronze plaque with the engraved image of the national leader Heydar Aliyev on one side and that of incumbent President Ilham Aliyev on the other side on the highest point of the icy continent - Mount Vinson, which stands 3,000 meters above sea level.
Baghirov told a press conference Tuesday that the funds had been spent to provide the expedition members with special beds resistant to 60-degree cold, goose-feather jackets slated for temperatures of 50 degrees below zero, moisture-resistant clothing, and special Canada-made footwear for skiing in mountainous areas. The funds were also channeled into leasing a plane and transportation costs. The Western University of Baku incurred a lion`s share of the expenses, while a small share of the spending was covered by the minister`s personal funds.
The expedition carried out scientific research, persevering temperatures ranging between -35 and -40. The scholars conducted over 500 observations and measurements regarding climatic and meteorological phenomena.
Baghirov said such trips would be made in the future as well, but he did not specify the timing and make-up of future expeditions.
The Azerbaijani expedition is the first group from Islamic nations and CIS states that has reached the South Pole by using skis and special footwear designed to walk on ice. The group spent 31 out of the 37 days of the trip in the Antarctica.
The expedition members hoisted an Azerbaijani flag as well as a bronze plaque with the engraved image of the national leader Heydar Aliyev on one side and that of incumbent President Ilham Aliyev on the other side on the highest point of the icy continent - Mount Vinson, which stands 3,000 meters above sea level.
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