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Akilia Island - This Greenland island has the oldest known rocks on Earth! 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. Alaskan Inuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Alaskan Yuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Albatross - Found throughout the northern oceans, and are common in the area of the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands. Algae - These organisms are the first level of an important food chain in the Arctic. Althing - Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly. Amundsen, Roald - The Norwegian explorer was the first person to successfully navigate the fabled Northwest Passage. Amundsen, Roald - The Norwegian explorer captured almost every polar geographical prize of his day. Amundsen, Roald - When Amundsen set out to find the Northwest Passage, he decided to use different methods than the Royal Navy. An Account of the Arctic Regions - Scoresby's book "An Account of the Arctic Regions" was the result of his experience travelling on and through ice. ANIMALS - See our "Arctic Animals" section. Animism - Traditional Inuit beliefs were that all objects and living things or beings have a spirit. Annuraaq - The Inuktitut word (meaning "an article of clothing") for traditional skin garments. Antarctica - The Greenland ice sheet is only about one-eighth the size of the Antarctic ice sheet. ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) - Represents one of largest examples of intact wilderness left on Earth. Archaeology - Archaeologists in the Arctic are faced with a number of unique challenges. Archaeology LINKS - See our "Archaeology Links" section. ARCTIC - See our "Arctic" section. Arctic LINKS - See our "Arctic Links" section. Arctic Circle - The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. Arctic Convoy - During the Second World War, ship convoys carrying vital war materials to the Russian port of Murmansk. 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 Myths - A magic aura surrounded the Arctic area in the fourteenth century. 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. Arctic Small Tool Tradition - Named because the stone harpoon tips, arrowheads, and knives of the Paleo-Eskimo people were so small. Arctic Submarine Laboratory - For almost 60 years, submarines have been operating in the Arctic Ocean. Arctic Tern - Terns spend most of their lives at sea and migrate farther than any other bird. 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. Aristotle - In his book "Meteorology", written over 2,350 years ago, Aristotle described the Northern Lights. Arktika - The first surface vessel to reach the North Pole was the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker. Askja Volcano - Devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread hardship and famine. Aurora Borealis - See our "Northern Lights" section. Auroral Oval - When we look up and see the Northern Lights, we are only seeing a tiny section of a huge auroral oval. Auroral Ring / Oval - Depending on the level of solar activity, there may or may not be auroral activity all the way around the ring. 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. Baffin Island - Named for William Baffin, Baffin Island is the fifth-largest island in the world. Baker, Mt. - The world record for the most snow in one year is now held by Mount Baker. Baleen - Baleen is an elastic, horny material forming fringed plates that hang from the upper jaw of baleen whales Ballistic Missile Early Warning Site - Located at the U.S. Armed Forces' northernmost base in Thule, Greenland. Balto - In 1925, a dog named Balto became a hero in a life-or-death race to rescue the children of Nome. Banks Island Inuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Barents, Willem - The Dutch navigator sought the illusive north-east passage. Barren Ground Caribou - One of three types of caribou. 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. Beaufort Gyre - This ice circulation system swirls the waters of the Arctic basin, turning the ice cap with it. Beluga Whales - Small, toothed whales that inhabit coastal waters in Arctic and Sub-Arctic areas. Beluga Whales - Trapped by sea ice. Bennet, Floyd. - The pilot of the plane in which he and Richard E. Byrd flew over the North Pole. Bentley, Wilson - The discovery that "no two snowflakes are alike" was made by "Mr. Snowflake". Bergy Bits - Small icebergs, rising between 1-4 meters / 3-13 feet out of the water. Bering, Vitus Jonassen - Credited with discovering Alaska and the strait between it and Russia. Bering Land Bridge - During the last Ice Age, the shallow seas in the Bering Strait dropped, exposing land linking Asia and North America. Bering Strait - The Ice Challenger objective was to cross the strait from Alaska to Russia. Big Dipper - The Big Dipper is part of the Great Bear constellation and it guides the way to the North Star. 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. BIRDS - See our "Arctic Birds" section. Block Heaters - In very cold places people either keep their cars in heated garages or use "block heaters" so they will start. Blocky Iceberg - One of the basic categories of shapes for iceberg observations. 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. BOATS - See our "Boats" section. Boat LINKS - See our "Boats & Ships" links section. Bomb - The largest bomb ever exploded on planet Earth was exploded in the Arctic. Booth, Felix - When the Navy refused to give John Ross a ship, Felix (who made a fortune from Booth's Gin) bankrolled the expedition. Booties - Sled dogs are tough, but they can have sensitive feet. To safeguard them, mushers tie on booties. Boots, Inuit - Certain footwear rules were followed when hunting. Bowhead Whales - Close relatives of the northern right whales and also known as Greenland right whales - they are found only in the Northern Hemisphere. Bowhead Whales, Whaling - In the 1800s a large population of bowhead whales was discovered in the Bering Sea. Breathing Holes - As air-breathing mammals, seals must have a way to get back to air, or else they will drown. Byrd, Richard E. - Byrd and his pilot, Floyd Bennett, claimed to be the first to fly over the North Pole. Calving, Glacier - When a glacier loses material in the water, it is called "calving". Canada - The Canadian Arctic covers three Canadian territories: the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Canadian Rangers - Use a combination of Inuit knowledge and modern military technique to patrol and protect the Far North. Canned Food - Canning was a new method of preserving food when the Franklin Expedition set off for the Arctic. Cannibalism - Some thought it improbable that British officers and men would resort to such "horrible means" to prevent starvation. 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. Carvings, Inuit - This artistic expression has produced a number of "world class" artists. Cave, Permafrost - In Alaska, there is a long tunnel bored into the permafrost. Cave, Storage - A cave in Russia is used to store ivory and other mammoth remains found is Siberia. Central Inuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Christmas - Christmas of 1845 found the ships of the Franklin Expedition wintering in the ice off Beechey Island in the Arctic. Chukchi - The largest group of indigenous people in the Asian Arctic. Churchill, Canada - So many bears pass by this town that they call it the "Polar Bear Capital of the World". Cities - Since the middle of the last century, more than 200 cities were established in the Russian Arctic. Climate - When Europeans began to explore the Arctic, the climate in Northern North America and Europe was colder than it is at present. 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. Clothing, Exploration - It was not until after the Franklin Expedition tragedy that Europeans seriously adopted the Inuit ways. COLD - See our "Cold/Cold Places" section. Cold Car - Starting your car in cold weather can be a big problem. Cold Places Game - Guess the places that are either partially or completely within the Arctic Circle. Colors of Northern Lights - Have you ever wondered how the Northern Lights get their different colors? Constellations LINKS - See our "Constellations" links section. Cook, Dr. Frederick - One of the most controversial figures in polar exploration. Cook vs Peary - Who was first to the North Pole? Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) - Near the Poles, lines of longitude are too close together to be practical as time zones, so UTC is used. Copepods - The pinkish-white parasites attach themselves to the cornea of the Greenland shark's eye. COUNTRIES - See our section on Arctic "Countries/Places". Crevasse / Crevice - A "crevice" cannot be a "crevasse" unless it is in a glacier. CryoSat - The satellite is designed to measure changes in the Earth�s terrestrial and marine ice fields. Currents, Arctic Ocean - There are two major ice circulation systems in the Arctic Ocean. Currents, World Oceans - The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt carries cold water from the poles throughout the world's oceans. Curse of the Arctic Regions - Scurvy was an ugly disease and the onset was quick. Desert - The Arctic is a cold desert because it gets very little precipitation - about the same amount as the Sahara. Desk - Queen Victoria had a desk made from the timbers of HMS Resolute and presented it to the American President. Devon Island - With land and glacial features like those found on Mars, it's an ideal location to train for a space mission. 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. Dinosaurs - Fossils of a carnivorous dinosaur have been found in the Canadian Arctic. Dip Circle - Used to measure the vertical or "dip" angle of the Earth's magnetic field. Dirigible - Umberto Nobile, Roald Amundsen and Lincoln Ellsworth fly airship over the North Pole. Discovery Service - British pay was intended to be enough to make a man forget he could well be dead before he earned it. Disease - In addition to trade goods, Europeans also brought infectious diseases to the Arctic. Doctors - There was a great difference between doctors and surgeons in the nineteenth century. Dome Iceberg - One of the basic categories of shapes for iceberg observations. Dorset Period - Inuit history: 1000-3000 years ago. Drift Stations - Research stations on the ice cap are constantly moving with the ice. Drydock Iceberg - One of the basic categories of shapes for iceberg observations. Egingwah - One of the Inuit guides who accompanied Peary to the North Pole. Electrical Power - The solar wind commonly generates billions of watts of electrical power in an auroral display. Ellsworth, Lincoln - He, Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile flew over the North Pole in a dirigible. ENVIRONMENT - See our "Environment/Atmosphere" section. Environment LINKS - See our "Environment" links section. 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. 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. Erebus & Terror - The ships of the Franklin Expedition were designed to go where no ships had gone before. Erebus & Terror - Where are Franklin's ships? Did they drift with ice floes and icebergs into the North Atlantic? EURASIA - See our "Eurasia" section. Evans, James - Created a syllabic script system now used by Canadian Inuit. Exploration - Which countries were the most active in Arctic exploration? EXPLORATION - See our "Arctic Exploration" section. Exploration Map - Routes of Arctic explorers. Exploration Methods - When Amundsen set out to find the Northwest Passage, he decided to use different methods than the Royal Navy. Exploration, Victorian Era - No spectacle stirred the British public so much as Arctic exploration. Exploration, Norse - Vikings settled in Iceland about 1,150 years ago, and in the process, discovered the key to the New World. Evenki - The Evenki people number about 30,000 and occupy a huge territory in north eastern Siberia. Exxon Valdez - The tanker spilled nearly 11 million gallons / 42 million liters of oil into Alaskan waters. Fata Morgana - An optical illusion (or mirage) of solid, well-defined coastal features that appear where there are none. Finger Rafting - Sometimes colliding ice becomes interlocked, with sections of one floe going both over and under the other. Finland - Arctic Finland, also called Lapland, covers about one-third of Finland, about the same portion as lies north of the Arctic Circle. Fjords - Long, narrow arms of the sea, often very deep and extending well inland. Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station - The Arctic has land and glacial features like those found on Mars, making it an ideal location to train for a space mission. Floeberg - Massive piece of sea ice composed of hummocks that has separated from the ice pack. Flowers - During a very short growing season, spectacular displays of wildflowers occur. Fogbows - Similar to rainbows, but have little color because of the very small size of the water droplets. Food Chain - The Arctic may look pristine, but its inhabitants contain high levels of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and radiation. Food Chain - Tiny organisms, algae and zooplankton are at the bottom of the cahin in the Arctic Ocean. Food Poisoning - Canning was a new method of preserving food when the Franklin Expedition set off for the Arctic. Forest Reindeer - One of three types of reindeer. Fox Fires - In Finnish Lapland, the Northern Lights are called "revontulet" (fox fires). Fram - Nansen froze his crush-resistant ship in the waters off Siberia and then drifted northward with the moving ice cap. Franklin, Lady Jane - Sir John's widow spent a fortune on private searches. FRANKLIN EXPEDITION - See our "Franklin Expedition" section. Franklin Expedition LINKS - See our "Franklin Expedition" links section. Franklin, Sir John - See our "Franklin Expedition" section. 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. Frobisher, Martin - One of the first explorers to search for the Northwest Passage. Frost - Frost crystals grow on window panes, blades of grass, or just about any other solid surface. 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. Furrows - Icebergs often run aground, leaving deep gouges where the huge masses of ice have ploughed into the seafloor. Games, Inuit - The skills required often represent those necessary for survival in the harsh Arctic environment. Gangline Team / Hitch - A single line to which each sled dog is attached, usually in pairs. Gassendi, Pierre - Gassendi (Also Gassend) applied the name "aurora" to the Northern Lights, naming them after Aurora - the Goddess of Dawn in Roman mythology. Geographic North Pole - Located at 90° North latitude, it is the northernmost point on the Earth's surface. Geomagnetic Pole, North - The North Geomagnetic Pole is the north end of the axis of the magnetosphere. Geysers - Some hot springs spout springs or geysers, the most famous being Geysir in south Iceland. Gilbert, Sir William - His book on magnetism was a thorough review of what was known in 1600. Gjøa - It took Amundsen three years in his little sloop, the Gjøa, to find the Northwest Passage. Gjoa Haven, Nunavut - Formerly Amundsen's Arctic base (Gjøahaven) on his voyage through the Northwest Passage. Glacial Melting - The ice fields are melting, and as they melt they give us a glimpse into ancient life. Glacial Surge - Finding the reasons for a glacier surge can be difficult. GLACIERS - See our "Glaciers" section. Glacier LINKS - See our "Glacier" links section. Glaciers Retreating - Retreating glaciers are a sign that global warming and climate change are real. Globe Theatre - An ice replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is not in London (not cold enough), but in Sweden. Goggles, Snow - Used to keep from going "snow blind" from the reflection of the sun's light off the ice. Governments - Many indigenous peoples in the Arctic favor a move to self-governance. Great Bear - The constellation Ursa Major appears in the northern sky. Great Circle Route - The shortest course between two points on the surface of that sphere. Great Ocean Conveyor Belt - Dense, cold water at the poles sinks and travels throughout the world's oceans. Great Woolly Mammoth - Preserved for 23,000 years in the frozen wastes of Siberia. Great Woolly Mammoth - Their remains left behind so much ivory in Asia that a trade in mammoth tusks began in the Middle Ages. Greater Snow Geese - The most northerly breeding geese in the world. Greenland - The largest island in the world is located primarily within the Arctic Circle. Greenland Colonies - Aboriginal peoples came into contact with the Norse colonists. Greenland-Eskimo Vocabulary for the Use of the Arctic Expeditions - In England, a young Inuit man helped in the preparation of a guide. Greenland Ice Sheet - Greenland has the only permanent ice sheet in the Arctic. Greenland Ice Sheet - After drilling through the Greenland ice sheet, scientists found millions of microbes. Greenland Ice Sheet, Melting - A recent study suggests that the Greenland ice sheet is doomed. Greenland Inuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Greenland Rocks - West Greenland has the oldest known collection of rocks on Earth! 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. Greenpeace - Reports that the glaciers of Svalbard are rapidly disappearing. Grise Fiord - To ensure sovereignty in the North, the Canadian government resettled Inuit families on Ellesmere Island. Grizzly Bears - Two species of bears inhabit the Arctic - polar bears on the coasts and ice pack, and grizzly bears inland. Growlers - Very small chunks of floating ice that rise only about 1 meter / 3 feet out of the water. Gulag - Millions of prisoners were "exiled" to forced labor camps in Siberia. Gyrfalcons - The most northerly of the falcons, making their home in Arctic Europe, Asia, North America and Greenland. Halloween - The Halloween Polar Alert is in effect around the town of Churchill to protect "trick or treaters" from polar bears. Haloes - Haloes around the sun sometimes occur in cold areas when sunlight interacts with ice crystals. Hammerfest - This Norwegian city is the northernmost city in Europe - well above the Arctic Circle. Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - The festival is one of the largest ice and snow spectaculars in the world. Hare, Arctic - Live in the tundra and rocky mountainous areas of Northern Canada and parts of Greenland. HEALTH - See our "Health/Safety" section. Heimaey Island - This Icelandic island is an example of ongoing volcanic activity. Henson, Matthew - Accompanied Peary to the North Pole, but as a black man, got little recognition. Horse, Yakut - Some think the Yakut horse is related to a creature that existed before the last ice age. Hot Springs - Iceland's volcanic base contributes to its geothermal activity, giving it more hot springs than any other country in the world. Hubbard Glacier - A glacier that is prone to surging. Hudson, Henry - Made several voyages in search of a passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Hummocks - Masses of broken ice are caused by the pressure of ice floes jamming and crushing against each other. Hunter's Boat - The Inuit invented the kayak, a one person boat used for hunting and transportation Hunting - As soon as the ice is solid enough, hunters, like the polar bears, set out after the seals. Hunting - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Huskies - The original "huskies" were Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, used by native peoples in Alaska and Siberia. Hypothermia - Exposure to cold can cause the chilling of the inner core of the body. Ice Age - At the peak of the last glaciation or "Ice Age", most of North America was covered by ice. Ice Age - The shallow seas in the Bering Strait dropped, creating a land bridge linking Asia and North America. 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 LINKS - See our "Ice Age" links section. Ice and Snow Festival - The festival in Harbin, China, is one of the largest ice and snow spectaculars in the world. Ice Blink - White glare seen on the underside of low clouds indicating the presence of ice in the distance. Ice Challenger - Crossing the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia. Ice Circulation Systems - There are two major circulation systems in the Arctic Ocean. Ice Changes - Global warming is changing the Arctic sea ice that is essential for both travel and hunting. Ice Drillng - Drilling deep into the Greenland ice sheet, scientists have recovered what seem to be bits of plants. Ice Drilling - By drilling into the ice, scientists can learn about past air quality, temperature changes, and types of vegetation. Ice Floes - Frozen masses of seawater that float on the surface of the sea and is free moving - unlike pack ice. Ice Habitat - Where there is Arctic sea ice - there are polar bears. Where sea ice is absent year round - there are no polar bears. Ice Hotel - A hotel in the village of Jukkasj�rvi, Sweden, is made from thousands of tons of ice and snow. Ice Patrol - 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 - After drilling through the Greenland ice sheet, scientists found millions of microbes. 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 Tunnel - In Alaska, there is a long tunnel bored into the permafrost. ICEBERG - See our "Icebergs" section. 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 LINKS - See our "Iceberg" links section. 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. Icebreakers - How icebreakers break ice. Icebreaker Tours - Since the 1980s, trips to the North Pole on icebreakers have increased in popularity for tourists. Icebreakers - The "Polar Sea" and "Polar Star" are the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. Iceland - The country boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly - the Althing. Iceland, Volcanoes - Iceland, like Hawaii, was formed by volcanoes. Icelandic Annals - Indicate that Europeans were venturing into the Arctic and regularly trading with Iceland by the 1300s. Iditarod - The "Last Great Race" covers some of the toughest terrain on earth. Igloo - The igloo is a snowhouse that was used by the Inuit as a temporary shelter. Industry - Oil, minerals, diamonds, and tourism are bringing people to the Arctic. Industry - See our "Industry" section. Insects - Insects in the Arctic bring misery to its inhabitants. International Date Line - 0° longitude divides the Earth into the west and eastern hemispheres. International Ice Patrol - There has not been loss of life or property with vessels that have heeded the patrol's warnings. INUIT - See our "Inuit" section. Inuit History - See out "Inuit" section for information on the Paleo-Eskimo, Dorset, Thule and Historical Periods. Inuit Beliefs - Traditional Inuit beliefs are a form of animism, according to which all objects and living things or beings have a spirit. Inuit Carvings - This artistic expression has produced a number of "world class" artists. Inuit Explorers - The first Arctic explorers in North America were the Inuit who have been exploring for thousands of years. Inuit LINKS - See our "Inuit" links section. Inuksuk - An Inuit monument used for communication and survival that is usually made of un-worked stones. Inuktitut - A language unique to the Inuit culture. Inuvialuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Irish Monks - Irish monks may have settled in Iceland as early as the 8th century, then left upon the arrival of the pagan Norsemen. 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. Ivory - Both male and female walruses have long ivory tusks. Kallihirua, Erasmus Augustine - One of the few Inuit to become internationally known in the 19th century, and probably the first to leave the Arctic. Kamiks - The Inuit followed certain footwear rules when hunting. Kane, Elisha Kent - His book "Arctic Explorations" was the first introduction that many had to the Arctic and the "esquimeaux". Kayak - The Inuit invented the kayak, a one person boat used for hunting and transportation Khatanga - Great Woolly Mammoths preserved for 23,000 years in Siberia. Kudlik - A crescent-shaped stone lamp fuelled by the oil from animal blubber. Kutiah Glacier - Holds the record for the fastest glacial surge. LAND - See our "Arctic Land" section. Land Bridge - During the last Ice Age, the shallow seas in the Bering Strait dropped, exposing land linking Asia and North America. Land of the Midnight Sun - Why doesn't the Sun set? Lapland - Arctic Finland covers about one-third of Finland, about the same portion as lies north of the Arctic Circle. Last Great Race - The Iditarod covers some of the toughest terrain on earth. Latitude - For well over 2,000 years, navigators have known how to determine both direction and latitude by using the North Star. Latitude - Between the Equator and the North Pole, the angle of Polaris above the horizon is a direct measure of latitude. Lead Poisoning - Canning was a new method of preserving food when the Franklin Expedition set off for the Arctic. 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. Legends - Every northern culture had legends about the auroras, often associating them with life after death. 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. 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. Little Ice Age - When Europeans began to explore the Arctic, the climate in Northern North America and Europe was colder than it is at present. Longitude - How did early explorers determine their east-west position on the Earth's surface? Magnetism - The magnet (as part of a compass) was one of the few things that could help keep early explorers from getting lost. Magnetosphere - The North Geomagnetic Pole is the north end of the axis of the magnetosphere. Magnetosphere - One of the things that produces the Northern Lights. Malaspina Glacier - The largest "piedmont" glacier on the continent. 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. Manhattan, SS - The tanker set out to test a route for the shipment of Alaskan crude oil through the Northwest Passage. MAPS - See our "Arctic Maps" section. Map LINKS - See our "Arctic Maps" links section. Marathon - The North Pole Marathon is run on the frozen Arctic pack ice over the Arctic Ocean. Marine Reindeer - One of three types of reindeer. Mars - Devon Island has land and glacial features like those found on Mars, making it an ideal location to train for a space mission. Medicine - An old medicine chest from the Franklin Expedition contains the powders and pills that were used to treat sick or injured sailors. Meteorites - Scientists search for micro-meteorites that may have fallen on the Greenland ice sheet. Meteorology - In his book "Meteorology", written over 2,350 years ago, Aristotle described the Northern Lights. McClure, Robert - He and his crew were credited for finding the route of the Northwest Passage. Microbes - After drilling through the Greenland ice sheet, scientists found millions of microbes. Mid-Atlantic Ridge - A split in the Earth's crust dividing the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Midnight Sun - Why doesn't the Sun set? Migratory Birds - In summer, thousands of migratory birds come to the Arctic to feed and raise their young. Mirage - The "arctic" or "superior" mirage occurs when an image of an object appears above the actual object. Mirage - An optical illusion (Fata Morgana) of solid, well-defined coastal features that appear where there are none. Mityushikha Bay - The largest bomb ever exploded on planet Earth was exploded over this Russian Arctic area. Morgan le Fay - An optical illusion of solid, well-defined coastal features that appear where there are none. Moscow Zoo - Polar bears play in "snow" that comes from a high-tech compressor in their enclosure. Mosquitoes - Why are there so many mosquitoes in the Arctic? Mosquitoes - They appear in late spring, just as the caribou shed their long winter hair. Mountain Caribou - One of three types of caribou. Murmansk - During the Second World War, Arctic convoys carrying vital war materials to the Russian port of Murmansk. Murres - Members of a group of black and white, duckshaped seabirds called auks. 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. 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. Myths - A magic aura surrounded the Arctic area in the fourteenth century. Nansen, Fridtjof - Norwegian explorer of the Arctic, oceanographer, and Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian. 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. Nautilus - The world's first nuclear submarine made the first trip to the North Pole by going under the ice cap. 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. Nipped - When a ship finds itself in a situation where ice is forcibly pressing on both sides, it is said to be "nipped". 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. Norrland - Swedish Lapland is one of the last wilderness areas of Europe. Norse - Vikings settled in Iceland about 1,150 years ago, and in the process, discovered the key to the New World. Norse Settlements - The Vikings met "Skraelings", their word for Aboriginal peoples who crossed over to Greenland. North Greenland Ice Core Project - Drilling deep into the Greenland ice sheet, scientists have recovered what seem to be bits of plants. North Magnetic Pole - Magnetic compasses point to the NMP, but it's at a different location than True North. North Magnetic Pole - Gilbert's book, On the Magnet, brought a new understanding of the magnetic pole. North Magnetic Pole, Discovery - James Clark Ross claimed the discovery on the west coast of Boothia Peninsula in 1831. North Pole, Alaska - The town of North Pole, Alaska is nowhere near the North Pole. It isn't even north of the Arctic Circle! 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 Marathon - The race is run on the frozen Arctic pack ice over the Arctic Ocean. North Pole Sovereignty - Canada claimed sovereignty of the Pole but that is now being challenged. North Pole Tours - Since the 1980s, trips to the North Pole on icebreakers have increased in popularity for tourists. North Pole View - When Peary arrived in 1909, he photographed four different directions to provide a record that he saw no land. North Slope - A flat, oil-rich tundra plain that extends north from Alaska's Brooks mountain range to the Arctic Ocean. 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. Northeast Passage - Icebreakers first navigated the passage in the 1900s, and in the 1930s the "Northern Sea Route" was established. NORTHERN LIGHTS - See our "Northern Lights" section. Northern Lights LINKS - See our "Northern Lights" links section. Northern Sea Route - Icebreakers navigated the Northeast Passage in the 1900s, and in the 1930s the "Northern Sea Route" was established. Northwest Passage - It was hoped that a Northwest Passage through the Arctic provide a shorter route from Europe to Asia. Northwest Passage LINKS - See our "Northwest Passage" links section. Northwest Passage Maps - The Northwest Passage is a famous sea route linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Norway - Famous for its fjords, Norway has one of most rugged and longest coastlines in the world. Note - The only knowledge we have of the Franklin Expedition ships comes from clues found by numerous searchers. Novaya Zemlya - The largest bomb ever exploded on planet Earth was exploded over this Russian island. Nunavut Flag - A flag to represent the home of the Inuit. Nunavut Government - Ensures that Inuit culture and values are represented. Nunavut Population - The territory of Nunavut is one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth. Ocean Currents, Arctic - There are two major ice circulation systems in the Arctic Ocean. Oil - Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, is a US port on the Beaufort Sea that is known for its nearby oil reserves. On the Magnet - Gilbert's book was a thorough review of what was known about magnetism in 1600. 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. Orca - Killer Whales are found in all oceans of the world, but are most common in the Arctic and Antarctic waters. Oymyakon, Siberia - One of the coldest places in the world. Paleo-Eskimo Period - Inuit history: 3000-5000 Years Ago. Pancake Ice - free floating and mainly circular pieces of ice that form when surface slush accumulates into floating pads. Parry, Sir William - Led a number of British expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage. Paws - The polar bear's paws are marvelously adapted to life in the Arctic. 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 Caribou - One of three types of caribou. Peary's North Pole Pictures - When Peary arrived in 1909, he photographed four different directions to provide a record that he saw no land. Peck, Edmund - Introduced a syllabic script system to the Canadian Inuit. Penguins - They DO NOT live in the Arctic and polar bears do not eat penguins. PEOPLE - See our "People" section for information about explorers and others. 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. Piedmont Glacier - Occur where steep valley glaciers exit a mountain range onto flat plains or lowlands. Pingo - A mound or hill, consisting of an outer layer of soil covering a core of solid ice. Pinnacle Iceberg - One of the basic categories of shapes for iceberg observations. Plankton - These organisms are the first level of an important food chain in the Arctic. Plants - About 1,500 species of Arctic flora have developed that somehow manage to survive in difficult conditions. 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. Polar Bear Cubs - Pregnant polar bears usually enter their dens around November and give birth to cubs about two months later. POLAR BEARS - See our "Polar Bear" section. Polar Bears, Hunting for Seals - This is how they catch their favorite meal. Polar Bears, Sharing - Bears who observe proper manners are frequently allowed to share a kill. Polar Bears, Territories - Once thought to be aimless wanderers, it is now believed that polar bears have distinct territories, or home ranges. Polar Sea & Polar Star - Two of the largest ships in the U.S. Coast Guard and the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers. Polaris - Also called North Star, polar star and polestar, it never changes its place in the sky. When you face it, you are always facing North. 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. Pollution, Air - Soot in areas with ice and snow may play an important role in climate change. Pollution, Water - The Arctic may look pristine, but its inhabitants contain high levels of heavy metals, organic pollutants, and radiation. Polygons - A honeycomb of ice walls beneath the surface of permafrost soils. Polynyas - Areas of ice-free water in the Arctic ice pack that stay clear for up to 9 or 10 months of the year. Pony, Yakut - Some think the Yakut horse is related to a creature that existed before the last ice age. Population, Arctic - There are now approximately 4 million people living permanently in the Arctic. Population, Inuit - Altogether, about 120,000 Inuit live in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Siberia. Population LINKS - See our "Population" links section. Population, Nunavut - The territory of Nunavut is one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth. Predator - Polar bears are the world's largest land predators and top the food chain in the Arctic. Pressure Ridges - When the great sheets of ice collide, ridges of ice build up at the point of collision. Prime Meridian - Divides the Earth into the west and eastern hemispheres, and runs through Greenwich, England. Prudhoe Bay, Alaska - The US port on the Beaufort Sea is known for its nearby oil reserves. 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. Pytheas - Ancient records suggest that the Greek navigator Pytheas visited the Arctic about 2,330 years ago. Quadrant - Ancient mariners used a quadrant to determine latitude. 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. Rangers - Canadian Rangers use a combination of Inuit knowledge and modern military technique to patrol and protect the Far North. Rangifer Tarandus - The species we know as caribou and reindeer. Rasmussen, Knud - Knud was the first person to traverse the Northwest Passage by dogsled. Record Low Temperatures - How cold can it get in the Arctic? Reindeer / Caribou - Caribou migration routes are unpredicatable. Perhaps that's why reindeer are herded by many Arctic peoples in Eurasia. Reindeer / Caribou Types - There are three types, or subspecies, of reindeer with matching groups for caribou. Reindeer - Why Santa picked them for his team. Reindeer Stone - Tugtupite, a beautiful, soft, deep red mineral found only in the Arctic. 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. Resolute, Nunavut - "Resolute is not the end of the world, but you can see it from here." Resolute, HMS - The ship got stuck in the ice, was abandoned, and later found by an American whaling ship. Resolute, HMS - If this ship could drift out of the Arctic on its own, could Franklin's ships do the same thing? Revontulet - In Finnish Lapland, the Northern Lights are called revontulet, which means "fox fires". Rocks - West Greenland has the oldest known collection of rocks on Earth! Roosevelt - Peary's ship was the most practical ship to enter Arctic waters. 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. 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. Royal Observatory - A seafaring people, the British recognized the need for accurate navigation. Runestone - A message found in Minnesota might indicate that European explorers may have made it all the way to the Great Lakes by 1362. Russia - Extending nearly halfway around the world, Arctic Russia stretches over two continents and nine time zones. 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. Sami Parliament - Norway, Finland and Sweden have structures that represent the Sami people. Santa Claus - Why Santa picked reindeer for his team. Sapporo Snow Festival - Snow sculptures turn Sapporo, Japan into a winter dreamland. Sassat - Swimming pool-sized breathing holes in the solid sea ice. Satellite - CryoSat is designed to measure changes in the Earth's terrestrial and marine ice fields. Saunas - The Finns are famous for their saunas - used for bathing as well as mental and physical relaxation. Schools - Modern schools in Nunavut teach the preparation of traditional foods, and even the construction of the sleds used for hunting. Scoresby, William - His book "An Account of the Arctic Regions" was the result of his experience travelling on and through ice. Scrimshaw - The delicate art of carving or engraving intricate designs on whalebone, whale ivory or walrus tusks. Scurvy - This ugly disease was referred to as "the curse of the Arctic regions". 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. Seasonal Snow - Seasonal snow covers up to 33% of the Earth's total land surface. Search - Although the search for the lost Franklin Expedition ended in failure, it did have some indirect benefits. Seegloo - One of the Inuit guides who accompanied Peary to the North Pole. Shaman - The central religious figure in traditional Inuit culture. SHIPS - See our "Ships" section. Ship LINKS - See our "Boats & Ships" links section. Siberian Cities - Since the middle of the last century, more than 200 cities were established in the Russian Arctic. Siberian Gulags - Millions of prisoners were "exiled" to forced labor camps in Siberia. Siberian Yuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Skraelings - Norse word for Aboriginal peoples who crossed over to Greenland and came into contact with the Norse colonists. 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. Sled Dog 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 DOGS - See our "Sled Dogs" section. Sledge Hauling - In the days of early British Arctic exploration, the standard navy method of travelling was the "sledge-hauling crew" Sleet - Snow is not frozen rain. Sometimes raindrops freeze as they fall, but this is called "sleet". Sludge - Ice the consistency of thick honey that is in an early stage of freezing and has not yet become solid. SNOW - See our "Snow" section. Snow - Seasonal snow covers up to 33% of the Earth's total land surface. Snow Blind - Temporary loss of vision caused by exposure of the eyes to bright sunlight reflected from snow or ice. 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 Geese - Greater Snow Geese are the most northerly breeding geese in the world. Snow Goggles - Used to keep from going "snow blind" from the reflection of the sun's light off the ice. 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. Snowbird 6 - Name of the vehicle used to cross the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia. Snowfall Record - The world record for the most snow in one year is now held by Mount Baker. Snowflake Bentley - The discovery that "no two snowflakes are alike" was made by Wilson Bentley. 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. Snowy Owls - These owls are found only in the Arctic - living and breeding on the tundra. Solar Wind - One of the things that produces the Northern Lights. 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. Soot - Soot in areas with ice and snow may play an important role in climate change. Sovereignty - Claims to the North Pole are being challenged. Space - The Northern Lights begin at about the edge of space. Space Warning Squadron - Located at the U.S. Armed Forces' northernmost base in Thule, Greenland. SpaceShipOne - It won the X-Prize for being the first privately funded spacecraft to go into space - about where the Northern Lights start. 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. Standing-ups - The Arctic can also be defined as being the area above the "treeline" - where no "standing-ups" grow. Stefansson, Vilhjalmur - Canadian ethnologist and explorer who discovered many previously unknown native tribes and territories. Striations - Grooves or scratches left behind in the bedrock after a glacier has passed over it. Submarines - For almost 60 years, submarines have been operating in the Arctic Ocean. Submarines - See our "Boats/Ships/Submarine" section. Sun - Why doesn't the Sun set? Sun, Leaves the North Pole - On September 24 the last edge of the Sun disappears below the horizon. Sun, Return to North Pole - On March 18, the leading edge of the Sun peeks over the horizon at the Pole. Sun Dogs - Sometimes appear as two bright points on each side of the sun. Sunrise/Sunset LINKS - See our "Sunrise/Sunset" links section. Surgeons - There was a great difference between doctors and surgeons in the nineteenth century. Svalbard - Because the islands are so close to the North Pole, Svalbard has been a popular "base" for Arctic exploration. Svalbard Glaciers - Glaciers on the island began an almost continuous retreat starting around 1900. Sverdrup, Otto - The Norwegian explorer discovered three islands in the Canadian Arctic and claimed them for Norway. Sweden / Swedish Lapland - One of the last wilderness areas of Europe. Tattooing, Inuit - Tattooing was practiced in the Arctic as early as 3500 years ago. 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. Temperatures - The High Arctic is one of the coldest, driest and harshest environments in the world. Terror & Erebus - The ships of the Franklin Expedition were designed to go where no ships had gone before. Terror & Erebus - Where are Franklin's ships? Did they drift with ice floes and icebergs into the North Atlantic? Thaw Lakes - Water that melts on top of the permafrost collects into shallow lakes. Thirst - Thirst was as common in the Arctic as it was in the African deserts. Throat Singing - Throat-singing has long been an important part of Inuit culture. Thule - Today this Greenland outpost is the U.S. Armed Forces' northernmost base which includes a Ballistic Missile Early Warning Site. Thule Period - Inuit history: 300-1000 years ago. Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road - About 87% of the road is over frozen lakes. Tidewater Glaciers - Valley glaciers that end in sea, lake, or river water. Tigi-su - Why reach the North Pole? The Inuit concluded there must be a giant spike there and called it Tigi-su - "The Big Nail". Titanic - The biggest passenger liner in the world was no match for a North Atlantic iceberg. Tokositna Glacier - A rumbling glacier that is prone to surging. 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. Trans-Alaska Pipeline - Petroleum is transported from the Arctic coastal plain to Valdez, where it is transferred to tankers. Trans-Alaska Pipeline - The pipleine crosses the entire state of Alaska. Transpolar Drift - This ice circulation system carries water and ice from Siberia, across the pole and down the east coast of Greenland. Treeline - As well as being the area within the Arctic Circle, the Arctic can also be defined as being the area above the "treeline". Trypots - Whalers stripped the blubber and boiled it down into oil in large iron pots. 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. Tundra Buggies - In Churchill, people watch polar bears safely by travelling in tundra buggies. Tundra Reindeer - One of three types of reindeer. Tunnel, Ice - In Alaska, there is a long tunnel bored into the permafrost. Tusk, Narwhal - The narwhal tusk is actually a tooth - one of a pair in the Arctic whale's upper jaw. Tusk, Walrus - Both male and female walruses have long ivory tusks. Tuttupit - The Inuit name (meaning "reindeer blood") for Tugtupite, a beautiful, soft, deep red mineral found only in the Arctic. Ultima Thule - The term of ancient geographers, referring to the farthest north land known to be inhabited by humans. 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. Ursa Major - The Great Bear constellation appears in the northern sky. UTC - Near the Poles, lines of longitude are too close together to be practical as time zones, so Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is used. Vegetation - Arctic vegetation is inactive for nine months as the plants snooze under snow blankets. Viking Settlements - The Norse colonists met "Skraelings", their word for Aboriginal peoples who crossed over to Greenland. Vikings - Vikings settled in Iceland about 1,150 years ago, and in the process, discovered the key to the New World. Volcanoes - Iceland, like Hawaii, was formed by volcanoes. Verkhoyansk, Siberia - One of the coldest places in the world. Vostok Station - The lowest world temperature for anywhere. 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. Warble Flies - The fly lays eggs on the caribou's legs and lower body that hatch into larvae. Ward Hunt Ice Shelf - The biggest ice shelf in the Arctic along the northern coast of Ellesmere Island. Water Sky - Dark streaks on the underside of low clouds, indicating the presence of open water in the distance. Weather - Click the names to check out today's weather in some Arctic locations Wedge Iceberg - One of the basic categories of shapes for iceberg observations. Western Arctic Inuit - One of the Inuit population groups. Wetland - There are five basic types of Arctic wetland: bogs, fens, swamps, marshes, and shallow open water. WHALES - See our "Whales & Fish" section. 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. 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. Whiteout - Whiteout occurs when the sky and snow are of a similar whiteness, making it difficult to distinguish a horizon. Wildflowers - During a very short growing season, spectacular displays of wildflowers occur. Wilkins, Sir Hubert - The Australian explorer flew over the Arctic Ocean by aircraft in 1927. Wind - As the warmer air at lower latitudes rises, the cold polar air rushes down to take its place. 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. Wintering - When a large sailing ship became ice-bound in the Arctic, the crew had to prepare it for the winter. Wolves, Arctic - Year-round white coats and slightly shorter noses and ears distinguish Arctic wolves from other wolves. Wolves, Arctic - They live so far north that they're quite safe from the greatest threat of all - people. Women's Boat - Umiaks were once widely used throughout the Arctic for whale hunting, or moving materials and people. Woman's Knife - The ulu is a crescent-shaped general-purpose cutting tool used for preparing skins, skinning, butchering, eating and sewing. Woodland Caribou - One of three types of caribou. Woolly Mammoth - Preserved for 23,000 years in the frozen wastes of Siberia. Woolly Mammoth - Their remains left behind so much ivory in Asia that a trade in mammoth tusks began in the Middle Ages. York, Erasmus - One of the few Inuit to become internationally known in the 19th century, and probably the first to leave the Arctic. Yukon Quest - Toughest sled dog race in the world. Yup'ik - Famous for their sea hunting culture, the Yup'ik maintained their traditional way of life well into the 20th century. |
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