Arctic

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The Arctic is an enormous area, sprawling over one sixth of the earth's landmass; twenty-four time zones and more than 30 million square kilometers. The Arctic region consists of the exclusive economic zones or territories of the United States (U.S.), Canada, Framland (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Torrike, Bothnia, Arnland, Otso, and Donovia. The Arctic Council defines non-Arctic nations as nations asserting interests in the Arctic, but otherwise not geographically inside the region.

Eight countries ? Canada, Norway, Denmark, Bothnia, Otso, Donovia, Torrike, and the United States ? have Arctic territory, while five countries (Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Donovia, and the U.S.), known as the Arctic Five, have Arctic Ocean coastline. Of note, Donovia has the most expansive Arctic territory of any of these countries.

Military

Since the end of the Cold War, the countries of the Arctic have been successful in maintaining the region as an area of low tension. It has been characterized by continuing close international cooperation amongst states which may have taken divergent positions on crises occurring elsewhere in the world. However, it is clear that the natural environment in the Arctic changing, giving rise to issues which are bringing about a similar change in the security environment. There is little doubt that the Arctic is seeing an increasing level of military activity.

Economic

The resources of the Arctic have been subject to increased attention over the last decades due to high economic growth in emerging economies and associated growth in demand for minerals. While the attraction to resources has dominated the attention for a long time, the focus has increasingly turned to climate change, which runs twice as fast in the Arctic as globally. Arctic economies generate a substantial share of their income from resource extraction. The increased demand for other nature values has sharpened conflicts over land use between mineral industries and the renewable nature based industries, not the least for traditional living, with hunting, fishing and herding by indigenous peoples. In some regions these conflicts have reached the political arena at Arctic country level, in particular with respect to petroleum and mineral extraction.

Social

The Arctic is inhabited by almost 10 million people on 8% of the global land mass, including more than 30 indigenous peoples. Due to severe weather and sparse infrastructure, social services, housing, medical support, and educational facilities are all a challenge.

Information

Establishment of modern information and telecommunication infrastructure in the Arctic is challenging, especially in view of the preponderance of communications satellites in the lower latitudes. There are requirements to harden facilities against extended periods of deep cold and solar flares which wipe out most telecommunications. However, no single communications choice will provide all required capabilities. Technologies in use now and needed in the future include cables, hard lines, satellites, fixed and mobile wireless, and digital networks. As broadband usage continues to skyrocket across the globe, communities without access to broadband will become even more isolated from the world, depriving them of the economic, social, civic, and political connectivity that is needed to prosper in the 21st Century.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure is composed of the basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society. Infrastructure in the Arctic requires significant hardening against extended deep cold and the rapid freeze-thaw cycle. Buildings will require extensive piering and footings drilled into bedrock as protection against frost heaves. Most countries have limited logistical support in theater, a short working season, and the need to protect against ice damage after building and installation.

Physical Environment

The Köppen climate classification places the Arctic in two categories: tundra climate (ET) and snow and ice climate (EF). Köppen’s type E climates are controlled by the polar and Arctic air masses of high latitudes (60°N and higher). These climates are characterized by low temperatures and precipitation and by a surprisingly great diversity of subtypes. Time of sunlight and darkness vary daily. During all seasons, the strongest average winds are found in the North Atlantic seas, Baffin Bay, Bering Sea, and Chukchi Sea, where cyclone activity is most common. Arctic terrain includes rugged mountains, rolling hills, deep wet basins, and tundra. Trafficability by vehicles depends on the season.

The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world’s oceans and is centered on the North Pole. The total area of the Arctic Ocean is 14,090,000 km2 (5,440,000 sq mi). Average depth is 987 m (3,240 ft) with the deepest point at 5,502 m (18,050 ft).

Time

In most places on Earth, local time is determined by longitude, such that the time of day is more-or-less synchronized to the position of the sun in the sky (for example, at midday the sun is roughly at its highest). This line of reasoning fails at the North Pole, where the sun rises and sets only once per year, and all lines of longitude, and hence all time zones, converge. There is no permanent human presence at the North Pole and no particular time zone has been assigned. Polar expeditions may use any time zone that is convenient, such as Greenwich Mean Time, or the time zone of the country from which they departed.