Polar climate, polar countries and its characteristics.

Polar Climate

This climate is also known as the tundra type of climate and it is experienced in the polar regions. This climate is characterized by a long season of severe winter and even the summer season is cold. The precipitation is very low, generally below 30 cm. and due to low temperatures the vegetation is practically missing. Only during the short summer season some very lowly plants may grow only in the areas away from the polar ice caps. These regions are known for blizzards, high velocity winds carrying ice particles with them. These regions are called the cold deserts and they occupy areas of the Arctic margins of North America and Eurasia and the Antarctic continent.

What Countries Are in the Polar Zone?

By Larry Rivers, eHow Contributor

The Polar Regions, or frigid zones, are the geographic regions surrounding both of the Earth's poles. With the North Pole as its center, the Arctic Polar Zone extends from the pole south to the timberline, or approximately 60 degrees north latitude. The Antarctic Polar Zone extends from the South Pole to 60 degrees south latitude.

 

Arctic Polar Zone

•                When defining the Arctic Polar Zone as extending from the North Pole to the timberline, or the edge of habitat where trees can grow, several countries can claim they are wholly or partially located in the zone. They are Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and the United States (Alaska).



Antarctic Polar Zone

•                When defined as the region extending from the South Pole to 60 degrees south latitude, no permanent human settlements are in the Antarctic Polar Zone. As such, no countries can claim they are part of the Antarctic Polar Zone.



Iceland

•                The majority of Iceland lies below the Arctic Polar Zone, leaving only its northernmost isle of Grimsy in the Arctic.



Russia

•                Russia contains the longest coastline in the Arctic Polar Zone, as well as the most square mileage. Its northernmost border lies almost entirely within the zone, which extends from Siberia to Russia's border with Europe. In recent years, Russia has committed more resources to developing its Arctic assets than any other polar zone nation.



Sweden

•                Sweden's arctic lands include portions Lapland, Norbotten and Sampi, which play host to international Arctic races, extreme backpacking and camping adventures and are home to Sweden's two Arctic Army regiments.



Finland

•                Located to the west of Sweden, Finland's Arctic lands include portions of Lapland and Sampi. Finland leads the way with the other Arctic countries to resume trading and political cooperation to save the Arctic after the Cold War in the early 1990s.



Norway

•                Norway's Arctic lands include Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Finnmark, which share a rich history of Viking rule and Arctic research. Norwegian universities in Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo have banded with the Norwegian Polar Research Institute and the Institute of Marine Research to further their knowledge of the Arctic waters and life on land.



Denmark

•                Denmark's claim to Arctic lands includes its island Greenland. Hans Egede, a Danish explorer, claimed the island in the early 18th century. Greenland also contains Gunnbjørn Fjeld, the highest point in the Arctic Polar Zone.



Canada

•                Canada's Yukon, Nunavit and Northwest territories, collectively known as the Far North, lie within the Arctic Polar Zone. Canada's population is concentrated almost entirely in its southern half, so the Far North contains few cities and a sparse population.



United States

•                The U.S.'s claim to Arctic territory lies only in its northernmost state, Alaska. Known for its wildlife, gold and oil reserves, Alaska provides much of American's domestic oil production, and is relatively sparsely populated



 

Information on the Polar Zone

•       By Kara Rae, eHow Contributor

•       Snow is always present in the polar zones

•      Polar zones are located near the planet's poles and include the continent of Antarctica in the south and Northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Greenland and the arctic ice caps in the north. Polar zones are some of the most inhospitable regions on Earth.

Types

•                The two types of climates in the polar zone are tundra and ice cap. Temperatures in the tundra can rise above freezing, but not in the ice cap climate.



Features

•                Polar zones have a constant terrain of snow and ice combined with dry air. No trees exist in the polar zone; the area receives very little precipitation. The South Pole is subjected to strong winds.

Considerations

•                The polar zones experience periods of 24 hours of perpetual sunlight during summer months and 24 hours of perpetual darkness in winter months.



Function

•                The south polar zone is home to emperor penguins and a few scattered researchers. The North Pole has small plants, caribou and polar bears. Tribes of indigenous people, including the Inuit, inhabit the north polar zone.



Fun Fact

•                The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -88 degrees C (-126 degrees F) in Antarctica.

 

Ehow, 2012. Things polar zone, available at: http://www.ehow.com/info_8113346_things-polar-zone.html (last opened 25/5/12)

Made by: Kintan Anjani Adikusumo