Why is Antarctica the highest continent above sea level?

Antarctica is considered the world's highest continent primarily due to its massive ice sheets, which cover more than 95 percent of its surface.123

While the continent has a diverse underlying bedrock topography—including mountain ranges and deep subglacial basins—the vast accumulation of ice raises the average elevation of the continent to approximately 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. Without this immense ice cover, the average elevation of Antarctica would be significantly lower, likely around 1,500 feet, and the continent would consist of a smaller landmass and an island archipelago.12