The Arctic: The Top of the World
What is the Arctic?
The Arctic is the northernmost region of Earth. Most scientists define the Arctic as the area north of the Arctic Circle, which is located at 66.5°N latitude. The Arctic includes the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and northern Russia.
The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of the world's oceans. It is surrounded by land on all sides, except for the Fram Strait, which connects it to the Atlantic Ocean. The Arctic Ocean is covered in sea ice for most of the year. The sea ice melts during the summer, but it reforms during the winter.
The Arctic Climate
The Arctic has a very cold climate. The average temperature in the Arctic is below freezing for most of the year. The Arctic is also very dry. The average annual precipitation in the Arctic is less than 10 inches.
The Arctic Wildlife
The Arctic is home to a variety of wildlife, including polar bears, seals, walruses, and whales. The Arctic is also home to a number of migratory birds, which spend the summer in the Arctic and the winter in warmer climates.
Comments