viking.com | 71
E X P E R I E N C E S I S S U E 2 3
ANTARCTICA IS A CONTINENT,
NOT A COUNTRY
Because it is not a country,
Antarctica has no government. It is
presided over by the Antarctic Treaty
System, an international agreement
with 52 signatories. All decisions are
made by consensus, and the treaty
includes strict guidelines for
commercial fishing and sealing, as
well as a complete ban on mining
and mineral exploration.
THE UNICORNS OF THE SEA
Narwhals are affectionately known
as the "unicorns of the sea" as they
can be identified by the long tusks
protruding from their faces. The
ivory tusk can grow to more than
ten feet in length and is actually a
canine tooth, which the narwhal
uses to hit and stun its prey.
Narwhals inhabit Arctic waters
all year round and can live for up
to 50 years.
GUANO HELPS KEEP THE ARCTIC
CLIMATE COOL IN SUMMER
It may not be home to penguins,
but the Arctic's birds more than
hold their own against their
flightless friends. The gases
released from guano (bird
dropping) affect the cloud cover
which in turn reduces the air
temperature and has a cooling
effect, helping to regulate the
weather system in the far north.
HOW POLAR BEARS KEEP
WARM
Polar bears are actually black, not
white. Their jet-black skin is
covered by translucent hair which
reflects white natural light. The
bears depend on their fur for
insulation during the harsh
winter months. Dirty, wet and
matted fur is less likely to keep
the animals warm, so they roll in
the snow to keep it clean.
7 8 9
10
Antarctica is
colder than the Arctic
e main reason for this is that
the Arctic is an ocean surrounded
by continents, while Antarctica is
a continent surrounded by ocean.
