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Arctic Fox - In the winter, the brownish grey coat of the Arctic fox changes to a thick, warm white coat. Arctic Fox - The Arctic fox is both a hunter and a scavenger and will sometimes steal from a polar bear. Arctic Hare - Live in the tundra and rocky mountainous areas of Northern Canada and parts of Greenland. Arctic Hare - The biggest bunny in North America. Arctic Wolves - Year-round white coats and slightly shorter noses and ears distinguish Arctic wolves from other wolves. Arctic Wolves - They live so far north that they're quite safe from the greatest threat of all - people. Caribou / Reindeer - Caribou migration routes are unpredicatable. Perhaps that's why reindeer are herded by many Arctic peoples in Eurasia. Caribou / Reindeer Types - There are three types, or subspecies, of caribou with matching groups for reindeer. Caribou Calves - Almost all of the calves are born within a ten day period in early June. Caribou Herds - In Canada and Alaska the great caribou herds are all free-ranging. Caribou Hooves - Caribou and reindeer have large special hooves with four "toes" on each foot. Caribou, Warbles - The fly lays eggs on the caribou's legs and lower body that hatch into larvae. Dinosaurs - Fossils of a carnivorous dinosaur have been found in the Canadian Arctic. DOGS - See our "Sled Dogs" section. Food Chain - The Arctic may look pristine, but its inhabitants contain high levels of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and radiation. Lemming Colonies - These little critters live in colonies that are mazes of tunnels and passageways through the tundra. Lemming Cycles - Lemming populations rise and fall dramatically, usually peaking about every 4 years. Lemming Suicide - The stories about these critters committing mass suicide by jumping off cliffs are not factual. Mammoth, Great Woolly - Preserved for 23,000 years in the frozen wastes of Siberia. Mammoth, Great Woolly - Their remains left behind so much ivory in Asia that a trade in mammoth tusks began in the Middle Ages. Muskox - Muskoxen roam wild throughout Arctic North America in small herds. Muskox - Their coat consists of two parts: long, coarse outer hairs, and a soft, dense, wool-like underhair. Penguins - They DO NOT live in the Arctic and polar bears do not eat penguins. POLAR BEARS - See our "Polar Bears" section. Reindeer / Caribou - Caribou migration routes are unpredicatable. Perhaps that's why reindeer are herded by many Arctic peoples in Eurasia. Reindeer / Caribou Reindeer Types - There are three types, or subspecies, of reindeer with matching groups for caribou. Reindeer - Why Santa picked them for his team. Seal Hunt - Ice floes provide a birthing place for seals that is safe from natural predators, but not from seal hunters. Seal Pups - Seals mate in the spring and give birth in the spring of the following year. Seals - Why have seals always been important to the Inuit way of life? Seals, Breathing Holes - As air-breathing mammals, seals must have a way to get back to air, or else they will drown. Seals, Whitecoats - Harp seal pups are born with a fluffy white coat that makes them look as cute as can be - but seal hunters want it. Walrus - The food that walruses like to eat is in deep water - they usually make short dives of 5 to 8 minutes. Walrus - Calves are usually born on the ice, and by one month of age, they are strong swimmers. Walrus - Very social animals and gather by the hundreds. They like to do everything in herds and seldom go out alone. Walrus Tusks - Both male and female walruses have long ivory tusks. WHALES - See our "Whales" section. Yakut Horse - Some think the Yakut horse is related to a creature that existed before the last ice age. Archaeology - Archaeologists in the Arctic are faced with a number of unique challenges. Arctic Circle - The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. Arctic Circle Map - Shows the imaginary line around the Earth that defines the boundary of the Arctic. Arctic Map - Our big map of the Arctic including current weather reports. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Represents one of largest examples of intact wilderness left on Earth. Arctic Ocean - The roughly circular Arctic Ocean is located entirely within the Arctic Circle. Arctic Ocean Currents - There are two major ice circulation systems in the Arctic Ocean. Cold and Dark - The Arctic stays dark and fiercely cold for months on end. Desert - The Arctic is a cold desert because it gets very little precipitation - about the same amount as the Sahara. Eco-tourism - Travel to the Arctic for the purpose of observing wildlife and learning about the environment. Geographic North Pole - Located at 90° North latitude, it is the northernmost point on the Earth's surface. Governments - Many indigenous peoples in the Arctic favor a move to self-governance. Myths - A magic aura surrounded the Arctic area in the fourteenth century. North Pole, Geographic - Located at 90° North latitude, it is the northernmost point on the Earth's surface. North Pole of Inaccessibility - The point on the surface of the Arctic Ocean which is the farthest distance from any coastline. North Pole Pictures - When Peary arrived in 1909, he photographed four different directions to provide a record that he saw no land. North Pole, Sovereignty - Canada claimed sovereignty of the Pole but that is now being challenged. Ocean Currents - There are two major ice circulation systems in the Arctic Ocean. Poles - There are four "North Poles" that can be defined in the Arctic. Poles - Why are the Poles cold? Poles - The Arctic isn't quite as cold as Antarctica, and here are some reasons why. Population - There are now approximately 4 million people living permanently in the Arctic. Temperatures - The High Arctic is one of the coldest, driest and harshest environments in the world. Temperatures - Arctic isotherm and winds. As warmer air at lower latitudes rises, cold polar air rushes down to take its place. Temperature Map - Showing the Arctic isotherm. Treeline - As well as being the area within the Arctic Circle, the Arctic can also be defined as being the area above the "treeline". Treeline Map - Guess what? A map of the Arctic treeline! Tourism - Visits to the Arctic have increased considerably. Here are some tips if you plan to visit. Albatross - Found throughout the northern oceans, and are common in the area of the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands. Arctic Tern - Terns spend most of their lives at sea and migrate farther than any other bird. Gyrfalcons - The most northerly of the falcons, making their home in Arctic Europe, Asia, North America and Greenland. Migratory Birds - In summer, thousands of migratory birds come to the Arctic to feed and raise their young. Murres - Members of a group of black and white, duckshaped seabirds called auks. Ptarmigan - These birds live year round in the Arctic. In winter, their feathers change to white to blend in with the snow. Puffins - They can swim underwater so well that people used to claim that they were a cross between a bird and a fish. Puffins - Arctic puffins live along the sea coasts of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Snow Geese - Greater Snow Geese are the most northerly breeding geese in the world. Snowy Owls - These owls are found only in the Arctic - living and breeding on the tundra. Arktika - The first surface vessel to reach the North Pole was the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker. Erebus & Terror - The ships of the Franklin Expedition were designed to go where no ships had gone before. Fram - Nansen froze his crush-resistant ship in the waters off Siberia and then drifted northward with the moving ice cap. Gjøa - It took Amundsen three years in his little sloop, the Gjøa, to find the Northwest Passage. Icebreaker Tours - Since the 1980s, trips to the North Pole on icebreakers have increased in popularity for tourists. Icebreakers - How icebreakers break ice. Kayak - The Inuit invented the kayak, a one person boat used for hunting and transportation Manhattan, SS - The tanker set out to test a route for the shipment of Alaskan crude oil through the Northwest Passage. Nautilus - The world's first nuclear submarine made the first trip to the North Pole by going under the ice cap. Nipped - When a ship finds itself in a situation where ice is forcibly pressing on both sides, it is said to be "nipped". Northern Sea Route - Icebreakers navigated the Northeast Passage in the 1900s, and in the 1930s the "Northern Sea Route" was established. Polar Sea & Polar Star - Two of the largest ships in the U.S. Coast Guard and the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. Resolute, HMS - The ship got stuck in the ice, was abandoned, and later found by an American whaling ship. Roosevelt - Peary's ship was the most practical ship to enter Arctic waters. St. Roch - The second ship to navigate the Northwest Passage, and the first to go from west to east. St. Roch II - Recreated in 2000 the famous voyage of the St. Roch in 1940-42. Submarines - For almost 60 years, submarines have been operating in the Arctic Ocean. Submarines - Sometimes surface through polynyas - areas of ice-free water in the ice pack. Titanic - The biggest passenger liner in the world was no match for a North Atlantic iceberg. Umiak - Large open skin boat once widely used throughout the Arctic for whale hunting, or moving materials and people. Wintering - When a large sailing ship became ice-bound in the Arctic, the crew had to prepare it for the winter. Block Heaters - In very cold places people either keep their cars in heated garages or use "block heaters" so they will start. Cold Car - Starting your car in cold weather can be a big problem. Cold and Dark - The Arctic stays dark and fiercely cold for months on end. Game, Cold Places - Guess the places that are either partially or completely within the Arctic Circle. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - The festival is one of the largest ice and snow spectaculars in the world. Poles - Why are the Poles cold? Sapporo Snow Festival - Snow sculptures turn Sapporo, Japan into a winter dreamland. Wind Chill - The air on a windy day feels colder than that indicated by a thermometer. Winter Road - About 87% of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road is over frozen lakes. Alaska - The United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 and it became an American state in 1959. Alaska Highway - When the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands during World War II, it emphasized the necessity of a road to the north. Antarctica - The Greenland ice sheet is only about one-eighth the size of the Antarctic ice sheet. Arctic Exploration - Which countries were the most active in Arctic exploration? Baffin Island - Named for William Baffin, Baffin Island is the fifth-largest island in the world. Canada - The Canadian Arctic covers three Canadian territories: the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Churchill - There are about 15,000 polar bears in northern Canada, and 1,200 or so of them pass by the "Polar Bear Capital of the World". Churchill - The Halloween Polar Bear Alert is in effect around the town to protect "trick or treaters" from polar bears. Finland - Arctic Finland, also called Lapland, covers about one-third of Finland, about the same portion as lies north of the Arctic Circle. Game, Know Your Arctic Countries - Guess the countries that are either partially or completely within the Arctic Circle. Governments - Many indigenous peoples in the Arctic favor a move to self-governance. Norway, Finland, Sweden and Canada are examples. Greenland - The largest island in the world is located primarily within the Arctic Circle. Greenland, Rocks - West Greenland has the oldest known collection of rocks on Earth! Grise Fiord - To ensure sovereignty in the North, the Canadian government resettled Inuit families on Ellesmere Island. Hammerfest, Norway - This Norwegian city is the northernmost city in Europe - well above the Arctic Circle. Iceland - The country boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly - the Althing. Iceland, Settlements - Irish monks may have settled there as early as the 8th century, then left upon the arrival of the pagan Norsemen. Iceland, Volcanoes - Iceland, like Hawaii, was formed by volcanoes. Lapland - The Sami/Saami are one of the indigenous peoples of Europe and often referred to as Laplanders. Moscow Zoo - Polar bears play in "snow" that comes from a high-tech compressor in their enclosure. Murmansk, Russia - During the Second World War, Arctic convoys carrying vital war materials to the Russian port of Murmansk. North Pole, Alaska - The town of North Pole, Alaska is nowhere near the North Pole. It isn't even north of the Arctic Circle! Norway - Famous for its fjords, Norway has one of most rugged and longest coastlines in the world. Nunavut - The territory of Nunavut covers nearly one-fifth of Canada. Russia - Extending nearly halfway around the world, Arctic Russia stretches over two continents and nine time zones. Siberian Cities - Since the middle of the last century, more than 200 cities were established in the Russian Arctic. Svalbard - Because the islands are so close to the North Pole, Svalbard has been a popular "base" for Arctic exploration. Sweden - Swedish Lapland, or Norrland, is one of the last wilderness areas of Europe. Thule, Greenland - Today this outpost is the U.S. Armed Forces' northernmost base which includes a Ballistic Missile Early Warning Site. Climate - When Europeans began to explore the Arctic, the climate in Northern North America and Europe was colder than it is at present. Fata Morgana - An optical illusion (or mirage) of solid, well-defined coastal features that appear where there are none. Haloes - Haloes around the sun sometimes occur in cold areas when sunlight interacts with ice crystals. Ice Age - The weight of the ice was so great that it depressed the Earth's crust by as much as 700 meters / 2,300 feet. Ice Age - At the peak of the last glaciation or "Ice Age", most of North America was covered by ice. Ice Blink - White glare seen on the underside of low clouds indicating the presence of ice in the distance. Isotherm - The Arctic can also be defined as being the area where the average temperature for the warmest month (July) is below 10°C / 50°F. Fogbows - Similar to rainbows, but have little color because of the very small size of the water droplets. Geomagnetic Pole, North - The North Geomagnetic Pole is the north end of the axis of the magnetosphere. Great Ocean Conveyor Belt - Dense, cold water at the poles sinks and travels throughout the world's oceans. Lightning - A dramatic result of climate change has been the introduction of electrical storms to the Arctic. Little Ice Age - The Little Ice Age (1560-1850) brought bitterly cold winters to parts of northern Europe and North America. Magnetic Field - The Earth's magnetic field is shaped somewhat like that of a bar magnet and it has North and South magnetic poles. Mirage - The "arctic" or "superior" mirage occurs when an image of an object appears above the actual object. North Magnetic Pole - Magnetic compasses point to the NMP, but it's at a different location than True North. Pollution, Air - Soot in areas with ice and snow may play an important role in climate change. Pollution, Oil - The tanker Exxon Valdez spilled nearly 11 million gallons / 42 million liters of oil into Alaskan waters. Pollution, Water - The Arctic may look pristine, but its inhabitants contain high levels of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and radiation. Sun Dogs - Sometimes appear as two bright points on each side of the sun. Temperature - The Arctic can also be defined as being the area where the average temperature for the warmest month (July) is below 10°C / 50°F. Thirst - Thirst was as common in the Arctic as it was in the African deserts. Water Sky - Dark streaks on the underside of low clouds, indicating the presence of open water in the distance. Whiteout - Whiteout occurs when the sky and snow are of a similar whiteness, making it difficult to distinguish a horizon. Chukchi - The largest group of indigenous people in the Asian Arctic. Cities - Since the middle of the last century, more than 200 cities were established in the Russian Arctic. Evenki - The Evenki people number about 30,000 and occupy a huge territory in north eastern Siberia. Nenets - These Siberian reindeer herders travel the Yamal Peninsula. Nenets - Interaction with non-indigenous people had negative effects on the Nenets in the 19th century. Northern Sea Route - Icebreakers navigated the Northeast Passage in the 1900s, and in the 1930s the "Northern Sea Route" was established. Sami / Saami - One of the indigenous peoples of Europe and often referred to as Laplanders. Sami / Saami / Saemieh - Long before the Swedish, Finnish or even the Viking culture had developed, the Scandinavian peninsula was populated by the Saemieh. Vikings - Vikings settled in Iceland about 1,150 years ago, and in the process, discovered the key to the New World. Yup'ik - Famous for their sea hunting culture, the Yup'ik maintained their traditional way of life well into the 20th century. Big Nail, The - Why reach the North Pole? The Inuit concluded that there must be a giant metal spike at the top of the world. Cannibalism - Some thought it improbable that British officers and men would resort to such "horrible means" to prevent starvation. Climate - When Europeans began to explore the Arctic, the climate in Northern North America and Europe was colder than it is at present. Clothing - It was not until after the Franklin Expedition tragedy that Europeans seriously adopted the Inuit ways. Discovery Service - British pay was intended to be enough to make a man forget he could well be dead before he earned it. Drift Stations - Research stations on the ice cap are constantly moving with the ice. Exploration - Which countries were the most active in Arctic exploration? Inuit Explorers - The first Arctic explorers in North America were the Inuit who have been exploring for thousands of years. Irish Monks - Irish monks may have settled in Iceland as early as the 8th century, then left upon the arrival of the pagan Norsemen. Latitude - For well over 2,000 years, navigators have known how to determine both direction and latitude by using the North Star. Longitude - How did early explorers determine their east-west position on the Earth's surface? Map - Routes of Arctic explorers. Mars - Devon Island has land and glacial features like those found on Mars, making it an ideal location to train for a space mission. Methods - When Amundsen set out to find the Northwest Passage, he decided to use different methods than the Royal Navy. Northwest Passage - It was hoped that a Northwest Passage through the Arctic provide a shorter route from Europe to Asia. Northwest Passage Map - Routes of explorers seeking the Passage. Royal Navy - By 1818, Britain had conquered Napoleon and the War with the United States was over, so the navy decided to vanquish the polar regions. Runestone - A message found in Minnesota might indicate that European explorers may have made it all the way to the Great Lakes by 1362. Sledge Hauling - In the days of early British Arctic exploration, the standard navy method of travelling was the "sledge-hauling crew" Victorian Era - No spectacle stirred the British public so much as Arctic exploration. Vikings - Vikings settled in Iceland about 1,150 years ago, and in the process, discovered the key to the New World. Wintering - When a large sailing ship became ice-bound in the Arctic, the crew had to prepare it for the winter. Barrow, Sir John - The commander of the expedition was a man Barrow did not want - Sir John Franklin - but there was no other choice. Canned Food - Canning was a new method of preserving food when the Franklin Expedition set off for the Arctic. Cannibalism - The British public thought it improbable that British officers and men would resort to such means to prevent starvation. Christmas - Christmas of 1845 found the ships of the Franklin Expedition wintering in the ice off Beechey Island in the Arctic. Erebus & Terror - Where are Franklin's ships? Did they drift with ice floes and icebergs into the North Atlantic? Erebus & Terror - The ships of the Franklin Expedition were designed to go where no ships had gone before. Medicine - An old medicine chest from the Franklin Expedition contains the powders and pills that were used to treat sick or injured sailors. Note - The only knowledge we have of the ships' whereabouts come from clues found by numerous searchers. Search - The search for Franklin was unnecessarily long (almost 15 years), very often inept or even farcical, and expensive. Search - Although the search for the lost Franklin Expedition ended in failure, it did have some indirect benefits. Calving, Glacier - When a glacier loses material in the water, it is called "calving". Crevasse / Crevice - A "crevice" cannot be a "crevasse" unless it is in a glacier. Glacial Melting - The ice fields are melting, and as they melt they give us a glimpse into ancient life. Glacial Striations - Grooves or scratches left behind in the bedrock after a glacier has passed over it. Glacial Surge - Finding the reasons for a glacier surge can be difficult. Glaciers Retreating - Retreating glaciers are a sign that global warming and climate change are real. Malaspina Glacier - The largest "piedmont" glacier on the continent. Piedmont Glacier - Occur where steep valley glaciers exit a mountain range onto flat plains or lowlands. Tidewater Glaciers - Valley glaciers that end in sea, lake, or river water. Valley Glaciers - Often starting from "mountain" glaciers or ice fields, these glaciers spill down the valleys. Canned Food - Canning was a new method of preserving food when the Franklin Expedition set off for the Arctic. Frostbite - Frostnip and chilblain are the first phases of freezing. Here's what to do to prevent frostbite. Frostbite - Here's what to do if you get frostbite. Hypothermia - Exposure to cold can cause the chilling of the inner core of the body. Ice Safety - When walking on ice with water underneath, always observe minimum thicknesses for safety on clear, solid ice. Medicine - An old medicine chest from the Franklin Expedition contains the powders and pills that were used to treat sick or injured sailors. Scurvy - This ugly disease was referred to as "the curse of the Arctic regions". Snow Blindness - Temporary loss of vision caused by exposure of the eyes to bright sunlight reflected from snow or ice. Changes, Ice - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Drift Stations - Research stations on the ice cap are constantly moving with the ice. Drillng - Drilling deep into the Greenland ice sheet, scientists have recovered what seem to be bits of plants. Drilling - By drilling into the ice, scientists can learn about past air quality, temperature changes, and types of vegetation. Finger Rafting - Sometimes colliding ice becomes interlocked, with sections of one floe going both over and under the other. Floeberg - Massive piece of sea ice composed of hummocks that has separated from the ice pack. Frazil - Ice crystals that form in very cold water that is moving around too much to let them form into a sheet. Freshwater Ice - Icebergs are frozen "freshwater" - unlike the sea (salt) water that they float around in. Frost - Frost crystals grow on window panes, blades of grass, or just about any other solid surface. Greenland Ice Sheet - Greenland has the only permanent ice sheet in the Arctic. Hummocks - Masses of broken ice are caused by the pressure of ice floes jamming and crushing against each other. Ice Changes - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Ice Floes - Frozen masses of seawater that float on the surface of the sea and is free moving - unlike pack ice. Ice Hotel - A hotel in the village of Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, is made from thousands of tons of ice and snow. Ice Pack - In winter, seawater freezes and forms a crust of ice called "pack ice". Ice Patrol, International - There has not been loss of life or property with vessels that have heeded the patrol's warnings. Ice Road - About 87% of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road is over frozen lakes. Ice Safety - When walking on ice with water underneath, always observe minimum thicknesses for safety on clear, solid ice. Ice Sheet - Greenland has the only permanent ice sheet in the Arctic. Ice Sheet, Antarctica - The greenland ice sheet is only about one-eighth the size of the Antarctic ice sheet. Ice Sheets - A continental ice sheet is a vast expanse of ice which completely covers all underlying terrain. Ice Sheets, Melting - A recent study suggests that the Greenland ice sheet is doomed. Ice Shelf - A floating ice sheet that is attached to the coast and usually extends out over the water. Ice Theatre - An ice replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is not in London (not cold enough), but in Sweden. Ice Thickness - When walking on ice with water underneath, always observe minimum thicknesses for safety on clear, solid ice. International Ice Patrol - There has not been loss of life or property with vessels that have heeded the patrol's warnings. Leads - Movement caused by currents pulls sections of the ice cap apart, creating open lanes of water called "leads". Leads - Cracks in the moving pack ice that can open up without warning. Microbes - After drilling through the Greenland ice sheet, scientists found millions of microbes. Nipped - When a ship finds itself in a situation where ice is forcibly pressing on both sides, it is said to be "nipped". Pack Ice - In winter, seawater freezes and forms a crust of ice called "pack ice". Pancake Ice - free floating and mainly circular pieces of ice that form when surface slush accumulates into floating pads. Polynyas - Areas of ice-free water in the Arctic ice pack that stay clear for up to 9 or 10 months of the year. Pressure Ridges - When the great sheets of ice collide, ridges of ice build up at the point of collision. Rafting - When ice floes collide and the edges are pushed together, the edge of one floe is sometimes pushed up on top of the other. Sassat - Swimming pool-sized breathing holes in the solid sea ice. Sludge - Ice the consistency of thick honey that is in an early stage of freezing and has not yet become solid. Travel - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Bergy Bits - Small icebergs, rising between 1-4 meters / 3-13 feet out of the water. Calving, Glacier - When a glacier loses material in the water, it is called "calving". Freshwater Ice - Icebergs are frozen "freshwater" - unlike the sea (salt) water that they float around in. Growlers - Very small chunks of floating ice that rise only about 1 meter / 3 feet out of the water. Iceberg Alley - Where bergs from the glaciers of Greenland drift down to Newfoundland and Labrador. Iceberg Colors - Bergs are ususally white because the ice is full of tiny air bubbles, but blue streaks can appear. Iceberg Drifting - Before some icebergs completely deteriorate, they may travel great distances. Iceberg Floating - Only 1/7 to 1/8 of an iceberg can be seen above water. Iceberg Furrows - Icebergs often run aground, leaving deep gouges where the huge masses of ice have ploughed into the seafloor. Iceberg Instability - The highly random shape and non-uniform melting can lead to frequent shifts. Iceberg Layers - The stripes and different colored layers in the ice represent different periods of snowfall. Iceberg Shapes - The basic categories of shapes that are used for iceberg observations. Iceberg Size - The International Ice Patrol uses various size categories to identify icebergs. Iceberg Source - The vast majority of North Atlantic bergs come from the major glaciers of West Greenland. Iceberg Towing - When bergs just drift along without navigators, they can be a serious danger to ships or harbors. International Ice Patrol - There has not been loss of life or property with vessels that have heeded the patrol's warnings. Map - Source of North Atlantic Icebergs. Alaska Highway - When the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands during World War II, it emphasized the necessity of a road to the north. Bomb - The largest bomb ever exploded on planet Earth was exploded in the Arctic. Canadian Rangers - Use a combination of Inuit knowledge and modern military technique to patrol and protect the Far North. DEW Line - The "Distant Early Warning" sites were a first line of defence to warn of an airborne invasion from "over the Pole". Diamonds - Arctic diamonds now make Canada the third largest diamond producing country in the world. Great Circle Route - The shortest course between two points on the surface of that sphere. Industry - Oil, minerals, diamonds, and tourism are bringing people to the Arctic. Oil - Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, is a US port on the Beaufort Sea that is known for its nearby oil reserves. Tourism - Visits to the Arctic have increased considerably. Here are some tips if you plan to visit. Tourism, Eco - Travel to the Arctic for the purpose of observing wildlife and learning about the environment. Whaling - Whalers began hunting whales in the Arctic as far back as the 16th century. Beliefs - Traditional Inuit beliefs are a form of animism, according to which all objects and living things or beings have a spirit. Boots - Certain footwear rules were followed when hunting. Canadian Rangers - Use a combination of Inuit knowledge and modern military technique to patrol and protect the Far North. Carvings - This artistic expression has produced a number of "world class" artists. Clothing - Inuit clothing has been essential to their survival. Clothing - When the Inuit lived exclusively from the land, caribou and seal were the main sources of clothing material. Clothing Decoration - Access to trade goods, such as glass beads, thread, fabric and steel needles, added a new dimension to clothing decoration. Disease - In addition to trade goods, Europeans also brought infectious diseases to the Arctic. Explorers - The first Arctic explorers in North America were the Inuit who have been exploring for thousands of years. Food - Modern schools in Nunavut teach the preparation of traditional foods, and even the construction of the sleds used for hunting. Food - Why have seals always been important to the Inuit way of life? Games - The skills required often represent those necessary for survival in the harsh Arctic environment. Government - the Nunavut Territorial Government ensures that Inuit culture and values become an important part of government operations. Grise Fiord - To ensure sovereignty in the North, the Canadian government resettled Inuit families on Ellesmere Island. History: 3000-5000 Years Ago - Paleo-Eskimo Period. History: 1000-3000 Years Ago - Dorset Period. History: 300-1000 Years Ago - Thule Period. History: Present-300 Years Ago - Historical Period. During this period, explorers, whalers, traders and missionaries began to appear. Hunting - As soon as the ice is solid enough, hunters, like the polar bears, set out after the seals. Igloo - The igloo is a snowhouse that was used by the Inuit as a temporary shelter. Inuksuk - An Inuit monument used for communication and survival that is usually made of un-worked stones. Inuktitut - The language unique to the Inuit culture. Kayak - The Inuit invented the kayak, a one person boat used for hunting and transportation Kudlik - A crescent-shaped stone lamp fuelled by the oil from animal blubber. Language - Inuktitut is the language unique to the Inuit culture. Map - The territory of Nunavut with current weather reports. Nunavut - The territory of Nunavut covers nearly one-fifth of Canada. Nunavut Flag - A flag to represent the home of the Inuit. Nunavut Population - The territory of Nunavut is one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth. Population - Altogether, about 120,000 Inuit live in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Siberia. Rangers - Canadian Rangers use a combination of Inuit knowledge and modern military technique to patrol and protect the Far North. Schools - Modern schools in Nunavut teach the preparation of traditional foods, and even the construction of the sleds used for hunting. Shaman - The best equipped to control spirits, the shaman was the central religious figure in traditional Inuit culture. Skraelings - Norse word for Aboriginal peoples who crossed over to Greenland and came into contact with the Norse colonists. Sled / Sledge Runners - Before plastic was available, sledge runners had to be kept smooth by other means. Snow Goggles - Before sunglasses, the Inuit wore goggles made from bone, ivory or wood. Snow Knives - Used to both cut and trim blocks of snow, particularly for the building of igloos. Snow Words - The Inuit, Aivilik and Igloolik languages have over 30 words for snow. Tattooing - Tattooing was practiced in the Arctic as early as 3500 years ago. Travel - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Throat Singing - Throat-singing has long been an important part of Inuit culture. Ulu - The "woman's knife" is a crescent-shaped general-purpose cutting tool used for preparing skins, skinning, butchering, eating and sewing. Umiak - Large open skin boat once widely used throughout the Arctic for whale hunting, or moving materials and people. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Represents one of largest examples of intact wilderness left on Earth. Desert - The Arctic is a cold desert because it gets very little precipitation - about the same amount as the Sahara. Fjords - Long, narrow arms of the sea, often very deep and extending well inland. Flowers - During a very short growing season, spectacular displays of wildflowers occur. Geysers - Some hot springs spout springs or geysers, the most famous being Geysir in south Iceland. Hot Springs - Iceland's volcanic base contributes to its geothermal activity, giving it more hot springs than any other country in the world. Ice Tunnel - In Alaska, there is a long tunnel bored into the permafrost. Land Bridge - During the last Ice Age, the shallow seas in the Bering Strait dropped, exposing land linking Asia and North America. Mosquitoes - Why are there so many mosquitoes in the Arctic? Permafrost - Soil or rock that remains below 0°C / 32°F throughout the year. Permafrost - There are several types of permafrost. Permafrost - Above-freezing temperatures can turn frozen ground into a soft, slurry-like material that can cause damage to structures. Pingo - A mound or hill, consisting of an outer layer of soil covering a core of solid ice. Plants - About 1,500 species of Arctic flora have developed that somehow manage to survive in difficult conditions. Polygons - A honeycomb of ice walls beneath the surface of permafrost soils. Research Station - Devon Island has land and glacial features like those found on Mars, making it an ideal location to train for a space mission. Rocks - West Greenland has the oldest known collection of rocks on Earth! Striations - Grooves or scratches left behind in the bedrock after a glacier has passed over it. Thaw Lakes - Water that melts on top of the permafrost collects into shallow lakes. Treeline - As well as being the area within the Arctic Circle, the Arctic can also be defined as being the area above the "treeline". Tugtupite - A beautiful, soft, deep red mineral found only in the Arctic. Its Inuit name, Tuttupit, means "Reindeer Blood". Tundra - Frost-molded landscapes, extremely low temperatures, little precipitation, poor nutrients, and short growing seasons. Vegetation - Arctic vegetation is inactive for nine months as the plants snooze under snow blankets. Volcanoes - Iceland, like Hawaii, was formed by volcanoes. Wetland - There are five basic types of Arctic wetland: bogs, fens, swamps, marshes, and shallow open water. Arctic - Big map of the Arctic with current weather reports. Arctic Circle - The Arctic defined by the Arctic Circle. Cold Places & Cold Winds - Compare today's temperatures. Exploration - Routes of Arctic explorers. Icebergs - Source of North Atlantic Icebergs. Northwest Passage - Routes of explorers seeking the Passage. Nunavut - Map of the territory with current weather reports. Temperature - Map showing the Arctic isotherm. Treeline - Guess what? A map of the Arctic treeline! ARCTIC LIBRARY MAPS: Countries with land or territories within the Arctic Circle. Alaska (USA), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden
ATHROPOLIS ARCTIC LIBRARY PAGES WITH MAPS: Aristotle - In his book "Meteorology", written over 2,350 years ago, Aristotle described the Northern Lights. Aurora, Goddess of Dawn - Pierre Gassendi (Also: Gassend) applied the name "aurora" to the Northern Lights, naming them after Aurora - the Goddess of Dawn in Roman mythology. Auroral Oval - When we look up and see the Northern Lights, we are only seeing a tiny section of a huge auroral oval. Best Places - The best places to see the Northern Lights are, naturally, in an area around the North Geomagnetic Pole. Causes - What causes the Northern Lights? A simple explanation. Colors - Have you ever wondered how the Northern Lights get their different colors? Description - These mesmerizing, dynamic displays of light appear in the nighttime Arctic skies. Energy - The solar wind commonly generates billions of watts of electrical power in an auroral display. Fox Fires - In Finnish Lapland, the Northern Lights are called "revontulet" (fox fires). Height - The Northern Lights begin far above the Earth's surface - at about the edge of space. Legends - Every northern culture had legends about the auroras, often associating them with life after death. Legends & Myths - For as long as there have been people, there have been legends, myths and superstitions about the Northern Lights. Revontulet - In Finnish Lapland, the Northern Lights are called revontulet, which means "fox fires". What Produces the Northern Lights? - Basically three things - check it out. Amundsen, Roald - The Norwegian explorer captured almost every polar geographical prize of his day. Amundsen, Roald - The Norwegian explorer was the first person to successfully navigate the fabled Northwest Passage. Amundsen, Roald - When Amundsen set out to find the Northwest Passage, he decided to use different methods than the Royal Navy. Amundsen, Roald - It took Amundsen three years in his little sloop, the Gjøa, to find the Northwest Passage. Baffin, William - British navigator and map maker who piloted two expeditions to the Arctic. Barents, Willem - The Dutch navigator sought the illusive north-east passage. Barrow, Sir John - A Secretary of the British Admiralty, he was convinced that a Northwest Passage existed. Finding it was his obsession. Bartlett, Bob - Commander of Peary's ship "Roosevelt" and was to accompany him to the North Pole. Bentley, Wilson - The discovery that "no two snowflakes are alike" was made by "Mr. Snowflake". Bering, Vitus Jonassen - Credited with discovering Alaska and the strait between it and Russia. Booth, Felix - When the Navy refused to give John Ross another ship, Felix (who made a fortune from Booth's Gin) bankrolled the expedition. Byrd, Richard E. - Byrd and his pilot, Floyd Bennett, claimed to be the first to fly over the North Pole. Cabot, John - He first proposed the existence of a Northwest Passage as early as 1490. Cook, Dr. Frederick - One of the most controversial figures in polar exploration. Cook vs Peary - Who was first to the North Pole? Davis, John - British scientist, cartographer, and writer who made extensive explorations in the Arctic. Egingwah - One of the Inuit guides who accompanied Peary to the North Pole. Equiano, Olaudah - In 1773 he became the first black person to go to the Arctic when he joined an expedition to find a passage across the North Pole. FRANKLIN, Sir John - See our "Franklin Expedition" section. Frobisher, Martin - One of the first explorers to search for the Northwest Passage. Gilbert, Sir William - His book on magnetism was a thorough review of what was known in 1600. Hall, Charles Francis - In his time, he was considered to know more about living in the Arctic than any non-Eskimo (Inuit). Henson, Matthew - Accompanied Peary to the North Pole, but as a black man, got little recognition. Hudson, Henry - Made several voyages in search of a passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Kallihirua, Erasmus Augustine - One of the few Inuit to become internationally known in the 19th century, and probably the first to leave the Arctic. Kane, Elisha Kent - His book "Arctic Explorations" was the first introduction that many had to the Arctic and the "esquimeaux". McClure, Robert - He and his crew were credited for finding the route of the Northwest Passage. Nansen, Fridtjof - Norwegian explorer of the Arctic, oceanographer, and Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian. Nobile, Umberto - Pilot and designer of the airship in which he, Roald Amundsen and Lincoln Ellsworth flew over the North Pole. Nordenskjold, Nils Adolf Erik - The Swedish explorer first completed a voyage through the Northeast Passage. Ooqueah - One of the Inuit guides who accompanied Peary to the North Pole. Ootah - One of the Inuit guides who accompanied Peary to the North Pole. Parry, Sir William - Led a number of British expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage. Peary, Robert Edwin - Claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole on April 6, 1909. Peary vs Cook - Who was first to the North Pole? Peary's North Pole Pictures - When Peary arrived in 1909, he photographed four different directions to provide a record that he saw no land. Pytheas - Ancient records suggest that the Greek navigator Pytheas visited the Arctic about 2,330 years ago. Rae, Dr. John - Learning from aboriginal peoples, he became an authority on Arctic survival and travel. Rasmussen, Knud - Knud was the first person to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled. Ross, James Clark - Was one of the most seasoned of the British Polar explorers and a member of the British "Arctic Council". Ross, Sir John - He was thought to have perished, but was knighted in honour of the four Arctic winters he endured, and for bringing his men through with few losses. Seegloo - One of the Inuit guides who accompanied Peary to the North Pole. Scoresby, William - His book "An Account of the Arctic Regions" was the result of his experience travelling on and through ice. Stefansson, Vilhjalmur - Canadian ethnologist and explorer who discovered many previously unknown native tribes and territories. Sverdrup, Otto - The Norwegian explorer discovered three islands in the Canadian Arctic and claimed them for Norway. Wilkins, Sir Hubert - The Australian explorer flew over the Arctic Ocean by aircraft in 1927. Comparison: Polar vs Grizzly - Two species of bears inhabit the Arctic - polar bears on the coasts and ice pack, and grizzly bears inland. Cubs and Birth Dens - Pregnant polar bears usually enter their dens around November and give birth to cubs about two months later. Fur - The fur is not actually white. Each hair shaft is pigment-free and transparent with a hollow core. Halloween - The Halloween Polar Alert is in effect around the town of Churchill to protect "trick or treaters" from polar bears. Hunting for Seals - This is how they catch their favorite meal. Ice Habitat - Where there is Arctic sea ice - there are polar bears. Where sea ice is absent year round - there are no polar bears. Marine Adaptations - The polar bear is the only bear considered to be a marine mammal. Moscow Zoo - Polar bears play in "snow" that comes from a high-tech compressor in their enclosure. Paws - The polar bear's paws are marvelously adapted to life in the Arctic. Polar Bear Capital of the World - There are about 15,000 polar bears in northern Canada, and 1,200 or so of them pass by or through Churchill. Predator - Polar bears are the world's largest land predators and top the food chain in the Arctic. Protective - Mother bears are capable of driving off much larger males if they think their cubs are threatened. Sharing - Bears who observe proper manners are frequently allowed to share a kill. Territories - Once thought to be aimless wanderers, it is now believed that polar bears have distinct territories, or home ranges. Tundra Buggies - In Churchill, people watch polar bears safely by travelling in tundra buggies. Big Dipper - The Big Dipper is part of the Great Bear constellation and it guides the way to the North Star. CryoSat - The satellite is designed to measure changes in the Earth's terrestrial and marine ice fields. Equinox, Fall - The Autumn Equinox is the first day of the Season of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Equinox, Spring - The Spring Equinox is the first day of the Season of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Great Bear - The constellation Ursa Major appears in the northern sky. Land of the Midnight Sun - Why doesn't the Sun set? Latitude - For well over 2,000 years, navigators have known how to determine both direction and latitude by using the North Star. Longitude - How did early explorers determine their east-west position on the Earth's surface? Meteorites - Scientists search for micro-meteorites that may have fallen on the Greenland ice sheet. North Star - Also called Polaris, polar star and polestar, it never changes its place in the sky. When you face it, you are always facing North. Solstice, Summer - First day of the Season of Summer when the Sun is farthest north. Solstice, Winter - The Winter Solstice is the first day of the Season of Winter when the Sun is farthest south. Sun Leaves the North Pole - On September 24 the last edge of the Sun disappears below the horizon. Sun Returns to North Pole - On March 18, the leading edge of the Sun peeks over the horizon at the Pole. It is officially "up". Ursa Major - The Great Bear constellation appears in the northern sky. Balto - In 1925, a dog named Balto became a hero in a life-or-death race to rescue the children of Nome. Exploration Sledges - To withstand the rugged conditions encountered on the Arctic ice cap, exploration sledges have to be very strong. Huskies - The original "huskies" were Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, used by native peoples in Alaska and Siberia. Iditarod - The "Last Great Race" covers some of the toughest terrain on earth. Mushers - To a sled dog, mushers are the "leader of the pack", so they must be strong leaders. Mushing - Mushing is a term for using one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow. Here's how to hitch them up. Mushing Commands - The most common commands for a dog team. Sled Dog Treatment - Early European and American explorers did not often treat their sled dogs with care or compassion. Sled / Sledge - To withstand the rugged conditions encountered on the Arctic ice cap, exploration sledges have to be very strong. Sled / Sledge Runners - Before plastic was available, sledge runners had to be kept smooth by other means. Travel - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Yukon Quest - Toughest sled dog race in the world. Baker, Mt. - The world record for the most snow in one year is now held by Mount Baker. Frost - Frost crystals grow on window panes, blades of grass, or just about any other solid surface. Igloo - The igloo is a snowhouse that was used by the Inuit as a temporary shelter. Insulation - Snow is a good insulator, making it a very good material for building a shelter. Seasonal Snow - Seasonal snow covers up to 33% of the Earth's total land surface. Snow Caves - Caves can provide both an emergency and recreational winter shelter. Snow Crystals or Snowflakes - A snow crystal is a single crystal of ice, but a snowflake can be as many as 200 stuck together. Snow Words - The Inuit, Aivilik and Igloolik languages have over 30 words for snow. Snowflake Categories - Their forms usually fall into several basic categories. Snowflake Types - Ukichiro Nakaya created a system to classify snowflakes as to 41 individual types. Snowflake Watching - It's easy. All it takes is a magnifying glass, a little patience, and some nice warm clothes. Beluga Whales - Small, toothed whales that inhabit coastal waters in Arctic and Sub-Arctic areas. Beluga Whales - Trapped by sea ice. Blubber - To insulate them from the cold, Arctic mammals have a thick, dense layer of connective tissue and fat under their skin called blubber. Blubber Experiment - See how blubber helps animals survive in the cold Arctic environment. Bowhead Whales - Close relatives of the northern right whales and also known as Greenland right whales - they are found only in the Northern Hemisphere. Greenland Shark - One of the largest sharks in the world, rivaling the Great White in size. Greenland Shark - Cruising the frigid waters beneath the ice, the sharks hunt in near darkness. Narwhal - The narwhal is one of the rarest whales, with only between 25,000 and 45,000 remaining in the world. Narwhal Tusk - The tusk is actually a tooth - one of a pair in the Arctic whale's upper jaw. Orca - Killer Whales are found in all oceans of the world, but are most common in the Arctic and Antarctic waters. Whaling - Archaeological evidence tells us of ancient whale hunting societies in the North American Arctic. Whaling - Whalers began hunting whales in the Arctic as far back as the 16th century. |
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