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.

Political

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.

The Arctic?s physical environment shapes the economic, social, and political environments. The region crosses numerous international jurisdictions, exclusive economic zones, national and international indigenous territories, and global commons. There is no single political body responsible for the entire region, although there are multiple permanent and ad hoc intergovernmental associations. Most of these organizations focus on science, environmental management, and safety. International organizations concerning the Arctic region include the United Nations (UN) International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Arctic Economic Council, the Arctic Council, the International Whaling Commission, and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC).

Social

The Arctic population is small, dispersed, and isolated compared to the populations of other geographic regions. Populations cluster in comparatively milder European Arctic areas and around economic resources, which have historically been associated with subsistence but increasingly involve mineral and energy reserves.

Many populations are either transient or temporary. The majority of Arctic indigenous peoples live in the European portion of the Arctic, with Donovia having the largest population.

Arctic indigenous peoples participate in international governance councils like the Arctic Council, giving them a voice on an international level. On a national and local level, groups will interact differently with national and local governments.

Information

The information environment in the Arctic varies significantly with infrastructure, population centers, and political systems, which are influenced by the physical environment and availability of economic resources. Consequently, the Western European Arctic is advanced compared to the more isolated North American Arctic and the strictly controlled, isolated Asian Arctic. In Scandinavia, even the most rural communities are connected to global networks. Television is the primary information medium in Donovia. North American Arctic areas have access to all media, but connectivity is slow and expensive.

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.