The polar regions, both the Arctic (North Pole) and the Antarctic (South Pole), are the coldest regions on Earth, and extremely low temperatures throughout the year. The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land, while Antarctica is a continent surrounded by ocean. Our 3D map displays Arctic nations, territorial claims over Antarctica, research stations, and major polar landmarks.
What is the Polar Region?
The polar regions are known as the Arctic (North Pole) and the Antarctic (South Pole), and both are the coldest parts of the Earth. Here, temperatures remain very low for most of the year, and these regions remain largely covered in ice.
Arctic Countries
There are 8 countries have territory within the Arctic region. Click on any country to see its location on the map.
| Country | Region | Arctic Area |
|---|---|---|
| 🇷🇺 Russia | Asia/Europe | ~5.5M km² |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | North America | ~3.5M km² |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Europe | ~1.3M km² (incl. Svalbard) |
| 🇺🇸 United States | North America | ~0.9M km² (Alaska) |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Europe | ~2.1M km² (Greenland) |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Europe | ~103,000 km² |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Europe | ~0.3M km² |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Europe | ~0.2M km² |
Antarctic Territorial Claims
There are seven countries that make territorial claims in Antarctica, although under the Antarctic Treaty System in 1959, all claims are suspended. Click on any claim to see its location.
| Territory | Claimant Country | Area (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 Australian Antarctic Territory | Australia | 5.9M km² |
| 🇬🇧 British Antarctic Territory | United Kingdom | 1.7M km² |
| 🇳🇿 Ross Dependency | New Zealand | 0.45M km² |
| 🇫🇷 Adélie Land | France | 0.43M km² |
| 🇳🇴 Queen Maud Land | Norway | 2.7M km² |
| 🇨🇱 Chilean Antarctic Territory | Chile | 1.25M km² |
| 🇦🇷 Argentine Antarctica | Argentina | 0.97M km² |
Polar Landmarks
Click on any landmark to see its exact location on the map.
North Pole
The northernmost point on Earth, covered by shifting sea ice
South Pole
The southernmost point on Earth, located on the Antarctic Plateau
Greenland Ice Sheet
Second-largest ice body in the world, covering 1.7M km²
Arctic Ocean
The smallest and shallowest ocean, covered by sea ice
Svalbard
Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean with polar bears
Antarctic Peninsula
The northernmost part of Antarctica, warming rapidly
Transantarctic Mountains
Mountain range dividing East and West Antarctica
Bering Strait
Separates Asia and North America, 82 km wide
Hudson Bay
Large inland sea in northern Canada
Laptev Sea
Remote Arctic sea with extreme climate conditions
Vostok Station
Russian research station, coldest place on Earth (-89.2°C)
McMurdo Station
Largest Antarctic research station (US)
Northern Sea Route
Arctic shipping route along Russia's northern coast
Northwest Passage
Sea route through Canadian Arctic islands
Antarctic Research Stations
Scientists from around the world live and work at these stations year-round.
McMurdo Station
Country: USA
Established: 1956
Summer Pop: ~1000
Amundsen-Scott Station
Country: USA
Established: 1956
Summer Pop: ~250
Vostok Station
Country: Russia
Established: 1957
Summer Pop: ~30
Mawson Station
Country: Australia
Established: 1954
Summer Pop: ~75
Halley Research Station
Country: UK
Established: 1956
Summer Pop: ~70
Neumayer Station
Country: Germany
Established: 1981
Summer Pop: ~50
Syowa Station
Country: Japan
Established: 1957
Summer Pop: ~60
Davis Station
Country: Australia
Established: 1957
Summer Pop: ~90
Zhongshan Station
Country: China
Established: 1989
Summer Pop: ~60
Progress Station
Country: Russia
Established: 1988
Summer Pop: ~50
Polar Regions Facts
- Arctic Ocean: The smallest ocean, around 14 million square km, which remains covered by sea ice; this ice expands in winter and shrinks in summer.
- Antarctic Ice Sheet: It holds about 60 to 70% of the Earth's fresh water. If it were to melt completely, the global sea level would rise by approximately 58 meters.
- Midnight Sun & Polar Night: At the poles, the Sun remains above the horizon for about six months and below it for about six months. If one moves away from the poles, this duration decreases.
- Polar Bears vs Penguins: Polar bears live only in the Arctic, while penguins are native to the Southern Hemisphere, mainly Antarctica.
- Northern Sea Route: The decline in Arctic sea ice is making seasonal shipping routes between Europe and Asia increasingly accessible.
- Antarctic Treaty: Signed by more than 50 countries, it declares Antarctica a scientific preserve and bans military activities.
FAQs
Which countries are in the Arctic region?
There are 8 countries are in the Arctic regions, these are Russia, Canada, Norway, United States (Alaska), Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Finland, and Sweden.
What's the difference between the Arctic and Antarctic?
The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land, while Antarctica is a continent surrounded by ocean. The Arctic has human populations and Antarctica has no permanent residents.
How cold do polar regions get?
The coldest temperature in Antarctica is -89.2°C (-128.6°F). In the northern regions of the Arctic, the average winter temperature remains at -40°C (-104°F).