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.

The Polar Region refers to both the Arctic (North Pole) and the Antarctic (South Pole) areas — the two coldest regions on Earth.

Consists of:

• The Arctic: The area around the North Pole, including parts of several northern countries and the Arctic Ocean.
• The Antarctic: The continent of Antarctica, located around the South Pole and surrounded by the Southern Ocean.

Characteristics:

• Harsh climates with extreme cold, long dark winters, and short bright summers.
• Unique light phenomena: polar night and midnight sun.
• The Antarctic is colder and more isolated, with a massive ice sheet; the Arctic is a frozen ocean surrounded by continents.

Fauna:

• Arctic: Polar bears, Arctic wolves, seals, walruses, snowy owls, caribou.
• Antarctic: Emperor penguins, Weddell seals, orcas, humpback whales, krill.

The Nordics (or Nordic countries) refer to a cultural and geographical region in Northern Europe known for its shared history, cooperation, and similar societal structures.

Consists of:

• Countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.
• Autonomous territories: Greenland and the Faroe Islands (Denmark), and Åland (Finland).

Characteristics:

• Highly developed, democratic nations with strong welfare systems.
• Landscapes ranging from fjords and mountains to forests and lakes.
• Varied climate: from temperate in the south to subarctic in the north.

Fauna:

• Moose, brown bears, lynx, wolves, Arctic foxes.
• Rich birdlife including eagles, owls, and seabirds.
• Marine life such as seals, whales, and various fish species.