The Arctic refers to the region surrounding the North Pole, located in the Northern Hemisphere. It is defined by the Arctic Circle, an imaginary line located at approximately 66.5° north of the Equator.

Consists of:

• Parts of eight countries: Canada, the United States (Alaska), Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland (Denmark).
• The Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas, as well as tundra and ice-covered landscapes.

Characteristics:

• Extremely cold temperatures, especially in winter.
• Permafrost, tundra landscapes, and large expanses of sea ice.
• Polar night (winter) and midnight sun (summer).
• Vulnerable to climate change, with rapidly melting sea ice.

Fauna:

• Polar bears, Arctic foxes, walruses, reindeer (caribou), snowy owls, Arctic hares.
• Marine life includes seals, whales (like beluga and narwhal), and fish species adapted to cold waters.