Arctic

The Arctic is a very cold and icy place near the top of the world. It is right around the North Pole and is north of a line called the Arctic Circle. This area is covered in snow and ice most of the year.

The Arctic is home to many special plants and animals. Tiny plants and animals called phytoplankton and zooplankton live in the cold waters. You can also find fish, birds, seals, and even whales! On land, the ground is frozen and called permafrost. The land here is known as tundra, and it has very few trees.

People have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years. The Arctic indigenous peoples have learned how to hunt, fish, and travel on the ice and snow. They have special ways to stay warm and find food in such a cold place.

The word Arctic comes from an old Greek word that means “near the Bear, northern.” This is because of two star groups in the night sky called the Ursa Major or “Great Bear” and the Ursa Minor or “Little Bear.” The Ursa Minor has a star we call the celestial north pole.

The Arctic is a special and important place for nature and for the cultures that call it home. It is a land of snow, ice, and amazing animals that have learned to live in one of the coldest places on Earth.