[su_heading size="12" margin="10"]The Arctic includes parts of Russia, Alaska (USA), Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Lapland (Norway, Sweden, Finland), Svalbard, and the Arctic Ocean. It covers an area of over 40 million square kilometers. The Arctic is home to approximately four million people, including Inuit, Nenets, Yakuts, Sami, and Evenks. It surrounds the North Pole and is bordered by eight countries: Denmark (including Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA. However, it is not a continent and does not have its own government. Because the boundaries are defined differently depending on the discipline and author, the term is difficult to define. Climate change has a major impact on the Arctic and its inhabitants, threatening some animal species.
The Arctic is an important habitat for many species of animals. These include, for example, the iconic animals of the Arctic: • Polar bears: Polar bears are the largest land predators in the world. The polar bear is officially the national animal of the region. • Walruses: Walruses are native to Alaska, Svalbard and eastern Russia. A walrus can weigh over 2000 kg. • Ringed seals: The ringed seal is the most common seal species in the Arctic Ocean. Ringed seals can be seen in the northern hemisphere of the Arctic Oceans. • Orcas: Orcas are intelligent hunters that live in groups. • Beluga whales: Belugas are small and very social whales. Beluga whales live in the Arctic Ocean. • Arctic foxes: The fur of Arctic foxes serves as camouflage. In winter the fur is white. In summer the fur of Arctic foxes is brown. • Eskimo dogs: Eskimo dogs are a breed of dog that was bred by the Inuit. Eskimo dogs are used as working dogs.
Of course, there are many other animal species that live in the Arctic and High Arctic, including many birds such as puffins and birds of prey.
Orcas and humpback whales up close underwater! In Skjervøy Norway you can snorkel with orcas and humpback whales. If you're lucky, you'll even see the animals hunting herring in the...