The frozen ocean that encircles the North Pole was given its name after the constellation of stars known as Arktos, sometimes known as the Great Bear, because it is positioned the farthest north of any other group of stars. The Arctic Ocean is one of the coldest places on Earth, and it borders the northernmost portions of Europe, Asia, and North America. These territories include Greenland, which is the largest island in the globe. Even though milder currents from the Atlantic and Pacific flow northward into the Arctic Ocean, warming the sea and clearing ice from the coasts in the summer, the majority of the Arctic Ocean is still covered in ice. This is because the Arctic Ocean is located between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole. There aren't many people living in the Arctic, despite the fact that it's a region that's abundant in both minerals and wildlife.

The sun doesn't rise over the horizon once throughout the lengthy winter months, and it can be as cold as -94 degrees Fahrenheit (-70 degrees Celsius). The terrain is constantly drenched in sunlight during the summer, which causes significant temperature increases. The sun does not set during this time. The Arctic can alternate between total darkness and total illumination when the North Pole moves closer and further from the Sun due to the tilt of the Earth's axis in relation to the Sun. The aurora borealis, which consists of wispy curtains of red and green light created by electricity in the upper atmosphere, brings color to the drab arctic sky.

Mineral resources abound in the area surrounding the Arctic Ocean. Both Russian and Norwegian companies are actively mining coal on the island of Svalbard, which is located in the Arctic Ocean. Under Alaska, there are massive reserves of oil and gas. Gold, iron, silver, tin, and a variety of other minerals can be found in the vicinity, albeit in much lower concentrations. Even though it is difficult to obtain these resources, oil and mining firms are starting to focus on the untapped wealth that is located in the Arctic region because supplies in other areas are beginning to run low.

Life can be found in abundance in the Arctic Ocean. The layers of dense fat that lie just below the surface of seals', walrus', and many whale species' hides protect these animals from the harsh environment in which they reside. Animals such as reindeer, musk ox, hares, foxes, and wolves go south to find food while foraging on land. This helps them avoid the worst parts of winter. The brief summer season is filled with beautiful blooms from hardy plants, which provide nourishment for millions of insects. This source of insect food is used by birds such as Arctic terns and Brent geese so that they can successfully breed and raise their young.

The icy and dangerous Arctic region is home to a sparse population. Hunting and catching wild animals has been a traditional means of subsistence for a number of indigenous peoples across the world, including the Yugyts and Nenets of Siberia, the Sami of northern Scandinavia, and the Inuit of Canada. Large herds of reindeer provide them with everything they require, including food, clothing, shelter, tools, and commodities to trade. This satisfies all of their fundamental needs. Although there are still some native people who choose to stay in nomadic communities like the one shown here in Iqaluit, Canada, the vast majority of native people today call populated places their home.

There has never been a time when traveling on land in the Arctic was simple. The majority of the land transforms into a swampy environment as the earth thaws over the summer months. During the winter months, a significant amount of snow falls, covering the land completely. People can avoid sliding into the fluffy snow by using snowshoes or skis, and boots with prickly or rough soles have a good grip on the icy terrain. Once upon a time, teams of huskies would travel considerable distances while pulling sleds loaded with supplies; now, snowmobiles have largely replaced them. These lightweight, ski-mounted motorised sleds are easy to steer and are able to pull extremely heavy loads despite their compact size.

The thickness of the sea ice in the Arctic can reach up to two meters. Ships known as ice breakers are purpose-built vessels with strengthened hulls and bows that are intended specifically for breaking through frozen obstacles. Their gigantic engines force the bow of the ship onto the ice, where it remains until the ship's weight breaks through it and makes way for more ships and boats.

European seafarers initially ventured into the Arctic in the 16th century in pursuit of a fresh trade route to Asia. This prompted them to investigate the area. English mariners started to map the northwest passage around the top of Canada at the same time the Dutch were beginning to chart the north-eastern path around Siberia. Both routes had been successfully employed by 1906. Three years later, an American adventurer named Robert Peary asserted that he had reached the actual North Pole. Some explorers, however, have questioned the reality of his accomplishment due to the speed with which he traveled.

It was widely believed by Arctic explorers for centuries that the northern ice sheet covered a huge continent. In 1958, an atomic-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, proved this by navigating beneath the ice from Alaska to Svalbard. More digging below the ice has revealed the seabed's ridges and basins.

THE ANTARCTIC

In contrast to the Arctic, which is composed entirely of water, the Antarctic is a continent that is encircled by other oceans. Antarctica is the most remote and inhospitable location on Earth, and it consists of a huge land mass in addition to a great number of islands that are found offshore. The majority of the continent is covered by a vast ice sheet, and where it meets the ocean, it separates into enormous icebergs measuring up to 125 miles (200 kilometers) in length. Scientists from other countries who are there to do research on the local ecosystem are the only people who reside permanently on any continent. The lone deviation from this rule is Antarctica. It is also special because it is controlled by a global agreement that forbids governments to lay claim to the land or use it for economic purposes. This is another reason why it is unique.

Within the stratosphere, the ozone layer can be found at altitudes ranging from 9 to 19 miles (15 to 30 km) above the earth's surface. It does this by soaking up ultraviolet light from the sun, which acts as a screen for the planet. A hole has just been discovered by researchers in the ozone layer that is located above Antarctica. Concerns have been raised concerning the continued emission of compounds that are harmful to the ozone layer as a result of the hole, which is approximately three times the size of the United States. This new finding suggests that Antarctica is in a substantially more vulnerable state than was previously thought.

During the early part of the twentieth century, a number of states laid claim to portions of Antarctica. Twelve nations came together in 1959 to sign the Antarctic Treaty, which put an end to all national claims to the region in the sake of preventing future conflict. In the pact, Antarctica was referred to as a "continent for research," and it was stipulated that the region may only be used for non-military activities. The fact that 45 countries have already ratified the agreement makes it one of the most effective examples of international cooperation.

Only one thousand individuals call Antarctica home throughout the winter months, but that number increases to three thousand when summer rolls around. They all dwell on one of the approximately 46 bases that are dispersed around the continent and work in the scientific field. Every base is constructed with its own one-of-a-kind insulation to protect its inhabitants from the bitter cold, and some bases have even been dug far below to store heat. Both the generation of heat and power can be accomplished with diesel fuel. In the event that adverse conditions arise, there is always sufficient fuel, food, and other supplies on hand to last for an entire calendar year.

Because of Antarctica's severe climate and isolated location, the continent is home to a far more limited number of animal species than other parts of the world. The largest resident living on land throughout the year is a little insect. On the other hand, during the brief summer, seals, penguins, and a great variety of birds migrate to the continent in order to take advantage of the safe breeding grounds and the abundance of food available there for raising their young. There are twelve different kinds of whales, and they all eat the many seals, fish, and krill that live in the icy oceans.

Krill are crustaceans that are similar in appearance to shrimp and can grow to lengths of up to five centimeters (two inches). As a result of their high population density and diet, which consists of plankton and other crustaceans, the waters that encircle Antarctica can give the impression of being pink.

The majestic Emperor Penguin can grow to be 1.15 meters (3 feet) tall and weigh up to 33 kilograms (66 pounds) in its adulthood (30 kg). After spending the better part of the year at sea, the emperors make their annual migration onto land in the month of April to mate. The solitary egg is then incubated by the male on his own over the cold winter months while he props it up with his feet to keep it warm. The mother bird typically returns in July to feed her young offspring.