Arctic

The Arctic is the region that surrounds earth’s North Pole. It includes parts of many countries, such as canada, russia, the united-states (Alaska), greenland, norway, and iceland. Most of the Arctic ocean is covered with floating ice for much of the year, and many nearby lands are frozen or snow-covered. Even though it is very cold, the Arctic is full of life and natural beauty.

The Arctic is known for its long winters and short summers. In winter, the sun may not rise for weeks, a time called the polar night. In summer, the opposite happens: the sun stays up almost all day, known as the midnight sun. Temperatures are often below freezing, but in some summer months, parts of the Arctic can become surprisingly mild. These extreme light and dark seasons make the Arctic very different from most other places on Earth.

Despite the harsh cold, many animals live in the Arctic. The most famous is the bear|polar bear]], which hunts seals on the ice. Other animals include arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer (also called caribou), walruses, and whales. In summer, when the snow melts, birds come from far away to nest, and colorful tundra plants bloom briefly before winter returns.

People have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years. Indigenous groups such as the Inuit in Canada and Greenland, and the Sámi in northern europe, have learned to survive and thrive there. They hunt, fish, herd reindeer, and use traditional knowledge to live in harmony with nature. Modern Arctic towns now mix traditional lifestyles with modern technology, and scientists also live there to study climate and wildlife.

The Arctic plays an important role in the world’s climate. Its ice helps reflect sunlight, keeping the planet cooler. However, in recent years, the Arctic has been warming faster than other places on Earth. This causes sea ice to melt, affecting animals, people, and even weather patterns far away. Scientists study the Arctic closely because changes there can influence the entire planet.

The Arctic is a place of extremes—cold and light, silence and life. It reminds us how living things can adapt to even the hardest environments and how connected the Earth’s systems truly are.