East Antarctica is a vast region of the Antarctic continent, covering about 10 million square kilometers. It is primarily composed of thick ice sheets and glaciers, with the East Antarctic Ice Sheet being the largest. This area is generally colder and more stable than West Antarctica, making it crucial for understanding global climate patterns. The region is home to several notable features, including the Transantarctic Mountains and the Vostok Station, a Russian research facility. East Antarctica also contains important subglacial lakes, such as Lake Vostok, which are of interest to scientists studying microbial life and climate history.