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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 (km2). The Arctic is defined three ways: (1) a circle of latitude, (2) a temperature and Arctic marine boundary [AMAP], and (3) Arctic human development report [AHDR]. For the purposes of DATE Europe, the latitude definition is used.
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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, 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.
  
The Arctic is a region rather than a country, although some countries have territory there. These countries are the United States (U.S.), Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Norway, Torrike, Bothnia, Otso, and Donovia.
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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: Arctic|Political]] ==
 
== [[Political: Arctic|Political]] ==
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The Arctic region consists of the exclusive economic zones or territories of the United States (U.S.), Canada, Framland, 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.
  
The [https://arctic-council.org/index.php/en/ Arctic Council] is the only circumpolar forum for political discussions at government level. It was established in 1996 as a high-level forum to promote cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic states. The member states are the U.S., Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Iceland, Norway, Torrike, Bothnia, Otso, and Donovia. The non-Arctic observer states are (as of 2013) France, Germany, India, Italy, Olvana, Poland, Singapore, South Torbia, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom. Each country in the Arctic has its own governmental policies concerning the region. Although Arctic policy priorities differ, every Arctic nation is concerned about sovereignty and defense, resource development, shipping routes, and environmental protection. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states have the right to create an exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In this zone, the coastal state has exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources of the sea as well as the seabed and its subsoil, and any other economic exploitation. The coastal state may also exercise environmental jurisdiction in the zone. The EEZ can extend to a maximum of 200 nautical miles (approximately 370 km).
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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.
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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).
  
 
== [[Military: Arctic|Military]] ==
 
== [[Military: Arctic|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.
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The military posture of Arctic nations reflects global and regional political dynamics, the climate, distribution of population centers and economic resources. Military activities center on search and rescue, sovereignty claims assertion, natural resource protection, and global competition. Of these, global competition is the predominant theme and occurs primarily between Donovia and North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) members.
  
 
== [[Economic: Arctic|Economic]] ==
 
== [[Economic: Arctic|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.
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The of the Arctic has been warming faster than any region on Earth and, in the short term, climate change is increasing the importance of the Arctic economy and of the Arctic .Arctic will remain a challenging environment for the near future, decreases in annual sea ice, along with advances in extraction technology, are making Arctic fossil fuel basins more accessible and potentially more lucrative.
  
 
== [[Social: Arctic|Social]] ==
 
== [[Social: Arctic|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.
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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.
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The Arctic Region has been sparsely populated for much of the last two centuries. 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
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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.
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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: Arctic|Information]] ==
 
== [[Information: Arctic|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.
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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:Arctic|Infrastructure]] ==
 
== [[Infrastructure:Arctic|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.
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Arctic infrastructure includes ports, (including deep-water ports), icebreaking capabilities and support vessels, satellites, aviation assets and airstrips, roads and pipelines. These represent significant and long-term investments to develop the region?s potential and cope with the challenges of working in extreme and fragile ecosystem. These investments often exceed state and national budgets, requiring private investment.in the Arctic requires significant hardening against extended deep cold and the rapid freeze-thaw cycle. Buildings will require 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 damage after building and installation.
  
 
== [[Physical Environment: Arctic|Physical Environment]] ==
 
== [[Physical Environment: Arctic|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.  
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The Koppen climate classification places the Arctic in two categories: tundra climate (ET) and snow and ice climate (EF). Type E climates are controlled by the polar and Arctic air masses of high latitudes (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).
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The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world 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). Major bodies of water include the Arctic Ocean, the Chukchi Sea, the East Siberian Sea, the Laptev Sea, the Kara Sea, the Barents Sea, the Greenland Sea, the Beaufort Sea, the Bering Sea, and Baffin Bay. The Arctic is covered by drifting ice that reaches encircling landmasses during winter and retreats during summer. Sea ice topography varies, with larger features in the central Arctic and near the Canadian coast being associated with multi-year ice. Arctic thawing trends suggest the summer ice sheet and permafrost will decline by double-digit percentages, but ice-free summers will likely not be recurrent before the 2030s at the earliest.
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== [[Time: Arctic|Time]] ==
 
== [[Time: Arctic|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.
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The Arctic is a unique temporal region because of the combined effects of international conventions on times and dates as well as the axial tilt of the Earth itself. 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). Time zones become less meaningful closer to the geographic North Pole, where all lines of longitude converge.
 
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[[Category:Arctic]]
 

Latest revision as of 19:52, 16 February 2022

DATE Europe > Arctic ←You are here

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, 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, 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).

Military

Economic

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

Arctic infrastructure includes ports, (including deep-water ports), icebreaking capabilities and support vessels, satellites, aviation assets and airstrips, roads and pipelines. These represent significant and long--

Physical Environment

-year ice. Arctic thawing trends suggest the summer ice sheet and permafrost will decline by double-digit percentages, but ice-free summers will likely not be recurrent before the 2030s at the earliest.


Time

The Arctic is a unique temporal region because of the combined effects of international conventions on times and dates as well as the axial tilt of the Earth itself. In most places on Earth, local time is determined by longitude, such that the time of day is more-or-

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