Viking Cruises

The coldest and northernmost of the world's seas, the Arctic Ocean enchants with majestic icebergs and mystical frozen waters T he planet's northernmost body of water, the Arctic Ocean is characterised by floating icebergs, otherworldly icy landscapes and freezing temperatures. A seemingly stark and inhospitable part of the world, this magical ocean is home to an array of wildlife and is of fundamental importance to the rest of the planet. is somewhat bleak and remote region plays a crucial role in keeping the world's climate in balance, controlling the temperature and weather systems across the world. The Arctic consists mainly of the Arctic Ocean, as well as portions of land belonging to Canada, Greenland, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and the US. The North Pole is right at its heart, permanently covered in sea ice and located 690km north of the northern tip of Greenland. THE HISTORY An enduring fascination with the Arctic has driven explorers to the North Pole for decades, with man attempting to take on nature and reach the top of the world, risking life and limb in doing so. Records suggest that the Arctic Ocean was first explored around 325BC, when the ancient Greek sailor Pytheas reached a frozen sea while trying to find the source of tin metal. Ever since, stories have regaled of pioneers, adventurers and explorers attempting to reach polar regions, with European and American explorers particularly engaged in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some intrepid explorers – John Cabot, Henry Hudson and James Cook to name a few – attempted to navigate the frozen tundra in search of the Northwest Passage, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, whilst Wally Herbert became the first confirmed person to walk to the Pole as part of an incredible 6,115km crossing. THE POPULATION Despite its freezing and barren landscape, the Arctic is home to around four million people, including indigenous groups with rich cultures that have thrived there for nearly 30,000 years. These include Inuit of North America, the Sami of Northern Europe and the Yakuts of Siberia who have long inhabited this part of the world and successfully so. Visitors to the Arctic have the opportunity to experience life in remote communities based around historic Viking and Inuit settlements. There are many cultural activities to discover, such as watching locals performing throat singing – a traditional type of music performed amongst Inuit communities – and a wide range of Indigenous art on offer at local galleries. THE WILDLIFE Arctic wildlife has evolved over thousands of years to cope with the extreme polar temperatures. Diving down into the thick sea ice, much of the Arctic Ocean is pitch black, closed off from sunlight by ice cover, but photographers diving further with equipment and lights are able to expose the reality of wildlife in the Arctic, which is rich and varied. At the bottom of the food chain in the dark Arctic depths lurks plankton – a food group that makes up the base of the Arctic food chain and consists of organisms like algae and bacteria, which in turn feeds creatures as large as bowhead whales. The ARCTIC OCEAN Opposite: Spotting polar bears is one of the highlights of a trip to the Arctic viking.com 61

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