How is the Arctic different from Antarctica? The most interesting facts. The Arctic and Antarctic are not the same thing, the Arctic is the south pole

The Arctic and Antarctic - what they are, where they are and how they differ, and in general they are two different places or two names for the same thing? Since school years, these questions have caused some uncertainty in many. Doubts are provoked by the similarity not only of the names, but also of the climatic conditions. For now, understand once and for all what is what, what are the similarities and differences between the Arctic and Antarctic. Let's start with what they have in common.

Titles. In fact, this is not a similarity, but a contrast. "Arctic" is a word of Greek origin, and the root "arktos" means "bear". They use the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor to navigate in search of the North Star, the main northern landmark, in the sky. The history of the name “Antarctica” is much less ancient (the name appeared only in the 20th century) and romantic. Antarctica is the anti-Arctic, that is, literally translated, the opposite of the Arctic. And the opposite of the bear! This is the easiest way to remember that there are no permanent residents of the Arctic expanses in the Arctic antipode.

Climate. Indeed, the polar territories are characterized by harsh climatic conditions. These are icy deserts, eternal snow, icebergs. But even here the similarity is not as complete as we think. Warm currents extend far enough along the northern coast of Eurasia to make the Arctic climate milder, with higher temperature minimums and milder temperature variations than in Antarctic latitudes.

Probably, this is where the similarities end and the differences begin, the main one of which is the geographical location at different poles of the globe. The North Pole and the adjacent water-ice expanses and islands up to the coast of the continents of Eurasia and North America- “possessions” of the Arctic. The South Pole and its surrounding areas, bounded by the Antarctic Convergence - the meeting place of cold Antarctic currents with the warmer waters of the Pacific and Atlantic - Antarctica. This phenomenon is observed at the 48-61 southern parallel and is characterized by a sharp change in water temperature by several degrees. Thus, the area of ​​the southern antipode of the Arctic - Antarctica - is almost twice as large.

Another difference is the mainland territories. The Arctic and Antarctic can be considered antipodes here too. The center of the Arctic - the North Pole lies in the Arctic Ocean, and the continental Arctic territories are only small coastal parts of large formations of Eurasia and North America, “framing” Arctic zone around the edges. The center of Antarctica rests on land, its own Antarctic continent, and at the edges of the territory, on the contrary, it is limited only by the line of temperature changes in the vast oceans.

Climatic differences are caused not only warm currents, freely penetrating into Arctic territories and not having access to Antarctic waters. Temperatures are largely influenced by altitude. The difference between the Arctic is the absence of continental formations and ice rising above sea level by a maximum of several meters. Average height of the Antarctic continent - 2 thousand meters, of which about 1.8 thousand are ice fields. Due to this, average temperatures here are lower, the difference is more than 10 degrees.

The flora and fauna of the polar territories are also strikingly different. And it’s not even about polar bears, who prefer the North Polar territories, and penguins, who have chosen to live in the vicinity of the Southern continent. The differences are much more serious. Thus, the flora of Antarctica is limited to an extremely meager selection of algae, lichens, mosses and literally two types of flowers - meadow grass and colobanthus.

The Arctic has a richer flora in this regard - hundreds of plant species, from the same algae, mosses and lichens to grasses, cereals, shrubs and even trees closer to the southern borders of the territories. The situation is similar with the animal world - on the Antarctic continent and in its environs, few species of animals can live and reproduce. Marine animals and organisms predominate here (their greatest density gravitates towards the borders warm waters), birds. Arctic island and continental territories are concentrated mainly away from the pole and have a milder climate, therefore animal world sushi here is much more varied.

A significant difference is also the degree of development of territories and economic activity. The Arctic is being actively developed, fish and seafood are being harvested here, and exploration and development of mineral resources is being actively carried out. Arctic territories were also used as testing grounds - for example, for testing nuclear weapons. Antarctic territories protected from human activity international agreements(1959 Convention). Any economic activity, weapons testing are prohibited here, warships are not allowed to cross the 60th parallel. In Antarctica, only scientific activity, there are about 45 scientific stations from different countries located here.

Arctic vs Antarctic

While the most obvious difference between the Arctic and Antarctic is their geographic location, there are many more reasons why they are on opposite sides of the globe. The Arctic, also known as the North Pole, is the northernmost part of the world. Antarctica is the South Pole and is the southernmost part of the world.

These two areas are considered the coldest climates on the planet and are practically habitable, except for animals and local cultures that are accustomed to the cold. In the Arctic, precipitation is year-round snowfall, and the only area in Antarctica that receives this type of precipitation is at outer edges Antarctica. Temperatures in the Arctic and Antarctic regularly fall below 0°F, and the lowest recorded temperature was -128°F in Antarctica. Geographically, there is no Arctic continent, but rather large pieces of ice that formed over the water. Antarctica is a continent, but it is also covered in ice. The size of Antarctica is also almost 3 million km² larger than the Arctic.

The Arctic and Antarctic are home to many different species. In the Arctic there are caribou, beluga whales and polar bears. Antarctica is home to orcs, penguins and seals. Polar bears can only be found in the Arctic, penguins can only be found in Antarctica, all other animals are usually found in both places.

Antarctica is home to the fifth largest continent, Antarctica. The Arctic consists of parts of Greenland, Russia, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and the United States. Antarctica has no permanent residents, although there are between 1,000 and 5,000 scientists who conduct research. The Arctic is spread over many continents, and between them there are almost 4 million permanent inhabitants.

Although both areas may seem different, they face the same problem of global warming. Ozone depletion has led to melting ice caps in both the Arctic and Antarctic, and the problem is getting worse every day. Global warming has threatened the cold climate at the poles, the animals that live there, in addition to creating a rise in ocean personnel around the world. Because the Arctic and Antarctic regions are on opposite sides of the world, there are understandable differences between them, but they still appear to be affected by global warming.

1. The Arctic is the northernmost region on Earth. Antarctica is the southernmost region. Both have a subarctic climate.
2. There are different types of animals indigenous to both. Polar bears can be found in the Arctic, and penguins can be found in Antarctica.
3. Antarctica is home to one entire continent, while the Arctic is made up of parts of eight different countries.
4. Temperatures in the Arctic and Antarctica are constantly below zero. The lowest temperature on record was taken from Antarctica in winter.
5. Global warming affects both the Arctic and Antarctic in many ways.

* The Arctic is an ocean under an ice shell, surrounded on all sides by land

* Antarctica is a continent washed on all sides by water

* People have been living in the Arctic for the last four centuries

* Antarctica has never been inhabited, and the first people reached its shores only 200 years ago

* The fauna of these regions is different, Antarctica leads in the number of inhabitants, and the Arctic leads in their species diversity

* The Arctic is home to an abundance of polar birds, walruses, musk oxen and polar bears

* Antarctica, these are giant colonies of penguins, fur seals, as well as many seabirds

* In the polar regions of the earth, the traveler will always find an abundance of snow of various shades and icebergs of the most bizarre shapes

* Travel to the Arctic can be made from June to September

*Months for cruises to Antarctica: October - March.

The Arctic and Antarctic, the two poles North and South, unknown, lost at the edge of the world and invariably attracting the interest of all mankind. Numerous large and small heroic expeditions were equipped to learn the secrets of the universe; individual daredevils went for it, trying to conquer and unravel the mysterious corners of planet Earth. And in our time, years after the first expeditions, already open to the world and science, the Arctic and Antarctic, these kingdoms of dazzling snow and light, thousand-year ice and icebergs, silence, cold, and unsolved mysteries, continue to attract not only researchers, scientists, but also numerous tourists from all over the world. Modern features tourism infrastructures allow everyone to choose a direction during a cruise: Arctic or Antarctic, route, duration, dates and go on an exciting journey.

The polar regions of our planet are one of the last corners of wilderness untouched by human activity and therefore can be considered the cleanest. These ecosystems have unique features and interactions and therefore require special protection measures. The natural and climatic environment of the polar regions is one of the most exceptional, poorly understood and harsh on planet Earth, characterized by extreme temperatures, large amounts of snow cover, ice and icebergs, and permafrost, and yet the Arctic and Antarctic are rich in living and non-living natural resources .

While there are significant similarities between the Arctic and Antarctic, there are fundamental differences: political, geographical and natural. And, probably, the basis of the differences can be seen primarily in the fact that Antarctica is a continent, and the Arctic is a partially frozen ocean, the ice cover of which is formed by glaciers, sea ice and icebergs. Sea ice covers the surface of the Arctic Ocean by 8 - 15 million square kilometers, with an average thickness of about three meters.

The sixth continent on our planet, Antarctica, is surrounded by an ocean. With its outlines, Antarctica slightly resembles the North Arctic Ocean. Antarctica is very different from all other continents. This is the coldest, windiest, driest, highest continent on the Planet. The surface of Antarctica is 99 percent covered by an ice sheet that rises on average 2,500 meters above sea level. Total Ice in Antarctica accounts for 91 percent of the world's ice reserves. If all the ice in Antarctica melted, then general level the world's oceans would rise by 60 meters. For comparison, the largest ice mass in the Arctic is the Greenland Ice Sheet, and if everything melts Greenland ice The level of the world's oceans will rise by 7 meters.

Antarctica is similar to all other continents with complex terrain - mountains, plains and deep depressions, but this could be seen if all the ice cover was removed from this continent.

An important difference between Antarctica and other continents is the complete absence of state borders and permanent population. This continent does not belong to any state, no one lives there permanently. Antarctica is a continent of peace and cooperation.

Antarctica has no permanent land vertebrates, but large populations of seabirds and seals visit it for breeding purposes and spend most of their time in the ocean surrounding Antarctica. IN summer period In the waters of Antarctica you can find toothed and smooth whales. The lands and ice of the sixth continent are home to 45 species of breeding birds, but 85 percent of the total biomass of Antarctic seabirds are penguins.

There is no indigenous population in Antarctica, however, the number of scientists living here temporarily and employees of year-round research stations is constantly growing, as is the number of tourists.

The northern polar region of our land, including the Arctic Ocean and its seas, as well as the Canadian archipelago, with its numerous bays and straits, the Northern parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land, Novaya and Northern Lands, the New Siberian Islands and the Wrangel Islands, as well as the northern coasts of the continents of Eurasia and North America form the Arctic.

In most Arctic regions there are no trees, but in some areas there are pine, spruce and birch forests. Typical tundra vegetation consists of sedges, lichens and dwarf trees.

The fauna of the Arctic has its own characteristics - limited species composition and the abundance of individuals of each species. Representatives of the fauna of the Arctic region are reindeer, musk oxen, polar bears, polar wolves, hares, arctic foxes, lemmings and others. The polar seas abound with beluga whales, narwhals, seals and walruses.

In many areas of the Arctic, people appeared more than 10 thousand years ago. The northern regions of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Greenland were the last to be populated.

The population of the Arctic consists of indigenous and newcomers who are carriers of different cultural traditions. The most homogeneous group of aborigines living in the American Arctic. It consists mainly of Eskimos, or Inuit (as they call themselves in Canada and Greenland).

In northern Alaska, the Eskimo population predominates, but many visitors are employed in the oil fields. In the far north of Eurasia, the indigenous population includes the Sami in northern Scandinavia and Finland, the Nenets in the north, and the Chukchi in northeast Russia. The traditional occupations of the peoples of the North are hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding.

Arctic and Antarctic, mysterious lands, crowned with glaciers, dazzlingly shining in the sun, seas covered with ice or floating icebergs have attracted travelers for a long time. Nowadays, there is an opportunity, within the framework of a chosen Antarctic or Arctic cruise, to join the secrets of the universe, listen to the silence, and feel the magnetism and energy of these unrealistically beautiful landscapes of places. Your companions on your travels will be polar birds, and, depending on the chosen direction, numerous colonies of penguins, or polar bears appearing on ice floes.

The Arctic and Antarctic are two regions similar in natural conditions, but opposite in location on the globe. The Arctic is often confused with Antarctica and vice versa, and Antarctica is called Antarctica. But this is not true: the differences between them are hidden not only in the names, but also in geographical and climatic features.

The Arctic is the geographical area between the North Pole and the Arctic Circle. It is characterized by ice cover and permafrost. Translated from Greek language"Arktikos" means "bear". Antarctica is the geographical region of the southernmost part of the globe.

It includes:

• continent Antarctica;
• southern waters of the adjacent oceans with islands.

The name appeared in the 19th century and comes from the opposition to the Arctic. The combination of “anti” and “arctic” translates as located “opposite the Arctic.”

Antarctica is the sixth continent, 97% of which is covered with ice. The South Pole is located on its territory. Antarctica is surrounded on all sides by the waters of the Southern Ocean and is isolated from the rest of the Earth's continents.

General characteristics of Antarctica

Antarctica is a polar region in the southern part of the globe. Its territory includes Antarctica, nearby islands and southern seas Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans. The total area is 52.5 million square meters. km. The water boundary of Antarctica lies along the edge floating ice within 50°–60° S. w.

Antarctica and Antarctica, the differences between which are very significant, are:

1. Antarctic is a vast region, and Antarctica is a continent.
2. Antarctic is a continent and an ocean area, and Antarctica is only land.

Climate

The region is dominated by the Antarctic climate, which was formed under the influence of a two-kilometer thick ice shell. The absolute pole of cold is located in Antarctica (eastern Antarctica).

For Antarctic climate characteristic features:

• dry and cold continental air masses;
• infrequent precipitation in the form of snow (rain - extremely a rare event in the region);
• low winter temperatures(-50 °С – -60 °С);
• negative summer temperatures(-15 °C – -30 °C);
• polar night.

The ice-covered surface of Antarctica absorbs 10% sunlight. 90% of it is reflected and goes into the atmosphere. Air masses form over the central part of the continent and move towards the coast.

This is how cold katabatic winds are formed, the average speed of which is 50-60 m/s. The compressed snow forms an ice sheet, the thickness of which is in some cases reaches 4300 m.

Hydrology

The Antarctic seas are often combined into South ocean. It is made up of 13 marginal seas, named after explorers and navigators. The largest of them: the Lazarev, Bellingshausen, Ross, Amundsen, Weddell seas.

Antarctic sea waters are characterized by transparency, high oxygen content and low salinity. Constantly drifting on the sea surface a large number of ice floes and icebergs of continental origin. They arise from debris from continental or ice shelves.

On the Antarctic mainland there are lakes and subglacial waters. There are no rivers or groundwater. The main source of fresh water is the ice cap. In summer, moisture evaporates, and in winter, condensation occurs.

The main difference is in the composition of water resources: in Antarctica only fresh water is found (mainly in the form of ice), in Antarctica the amount of sea water prevails over the volume of fresh water.

Flora and fauna

Life in Antarctica exists in three regions.

• ocean waters;
• sea ​​coast;
• islands.

The vegetation of Antarctica is represented by mosses, lichens, blue-green algae, and primitive species of fungi. The animal population of the southern continent is small. Small invertebrates, worms, crustaceans, and insects live here.

Skuas, albatrosses, terns, petrels, and penguins nest on the coast. Antarctica is home to 17 species of penguins, including the most close-up view– imperial.

The wealth of Antarctica - sea ​​fish and Arctic krill. There are cetaceans in the ocean. The abundance of food attracts toothed whales, fin whales, and sperm whales here. There are also pinnipeds: Kerguelen fur seals, sea ​​lions and elephants, seals. The islands are inhabited by bird colonies.

Antarctica and Antarctica, whose differences lie in the distribution of life and are expressed in the richness of animal life in the ocean, have limited representation of living organisms on land.

Natural resources of Antarctica

Deposits of iron ore, rare earth and valuable metals, and coal have been discovered in the east of Antarctica. Mining activities mineral resources prohibited on the continent by the 1959 Treaty. Marine fishing in Antarctic waters is limited. The ice of Antarctica is a valuable natural resource. They contain 90% of the planet's fresh water.

Antarctic Research

Low Atmosphere pressure, abnormal frosts, and glacial cover made Antarctica inaccessible. First attempts to see southern mainland were undertaken by J. Cook.

Only in 1820 was the Russian expedition of F. Bellingshausen and M. Lazarev able to reach the shores of Antarctica. They proved the existence of a sixth continent, described its climatic characteristics, outlines coastline, natural world.

In 1840, J. Dumont-D'Urville first landed on the icy land of Antarctica. The South Pole was conquered by brave Norwegian explorers only in 1911, when R. Amudsen installed a flagpole at the southernmost point of the globe. Since 1955, year-round scientific observations have been conducted on the mainland.

Antarctica

Antarctica is a polar continent in the south of the Earth. It ranks fifth in size, second only to Australia. In the center of Antarctica with an area of ​​13.2 million square meters. km is the South Pole. Antarctica is the highest continent (2360 m) on the planet with varied relief.

The main part of the continent is covered solid ice. The level of the World Ocean depends on the condition of Antarctica's glaciers. Warming and melting of the ice sheet can cause flooding of certain coastal regions of the Earth.

Natural records of Antarctica:

• 14 million sq. km – glacier area;
• 4776 m – thickness of the ice sheet;
• 525 thousand sq. km – area of ​​the ice shelf;
• 2555 m (below sea level) – subglacial depression;
• -91.2 °C – air temperature.

The territory of Antarctica is not the property of anyone. It is divided between countries into separate sectors where scientific stations operate year-round.

There is no permanent population: scientists, researchers, doctors and station staff live here temporarily.

Since 2002, Antarctica has had an unofficial flag: the outline of a white continent on a blue background. The flag was presented at the conclusion of the Antarctic Treaty.

Antarctica and Antarctica, the differences of which are primarily in the fact that it is a geographical area and a continent, also differ in the following:

1. The geographical concept of Antarctica is broader than Antarctica.
2. Antarctica is colder than Antarctica as a whole.
3. Industrial activity on the mainland is completely prohibited, although marine fishing is permitted in Antarctic waters.

General characteristics of the Arctic

The Arctic is a geographical area in the northern part of the planet with an area of ​​30 million square meters. km. The heart of the Arctic is the North Pole, located in the center of the ice-covered ocean. The main part of the Arctic territory is occupied by the Arctic Ocean, neighboring islands and water pools marginal seas.

The relief of the water part of the region is heterogeneous; depressions alternate with shelves. The mainland coasts of the United States and Canada are dominated by plains. IN arctic lands lives over 30 northern peoples. The main occupation of the local population is reindeer herding and fishing.

Climatic features

The Arctic is characterized by a harsh polar climate.

It is different:

• low temperatures;
• solid sediments;
• lack of sunlight;
• low radiation balance;
• the existence of permafrost;
• availability underground ice;
• ice content in the sea area.

A special feature of the Arctic is the polar night, which lasts 6 months, and the equally long polar day. Winter is characterized by sudden changes in weather, hurricanes, and precipitation. The air temperature remains at an average of -22 °C. Record low temperature – -40 °C. Most of the ocean is covered with thick ice, and continental areas are covered with permanent snow cover.

Regular northern winds lift the fallen snow, which creates the effect of continuous snowfall. The fleeting spring is characterized by the appearance of sunlight, the melting and movement of ice, and a rise in temperature above zero. It rains at this time. Summer lasts 7–10 days, and in the southern regions – up to 20 days. In summer, the air temperature warms up to +10 °C.

Modern scientific research notes a warming trend in the Arctic climate associated with movement air masses and changes in the planet's rotation speed.

Hydrology

The Arctic ocean area is covered with a shell of pack (sea) ice. Its average thickness is 4.5 - 7.5 m. The water temperature remains around zero.

Icebergs that formed off the Canadian and Greenlandic coasts are drifting in the northern seas. 90% hidden under water, they move by the force of underwater currents. There are also stamukhs - icebergs that have run aground. The waters are characterized by moderate salinity (30%).

Flora and fauna

Life exists in unfavorable conditions cold arctic climate. Mosses, crustose lichens, polar willow, dwarf birch, lingonberries and blueberries grow in the polar tundra zone. Sparse vegetation is the main food for reindeer and musk oxen.

Polar bears, wolves, and arctic foxes feel comfortable on the snowy, icy lands of the Arctic. The fauna of the northern seas is much richer. They live here marine mammals: walruses, sea hares, seals, seals. There are representatives of cetaceans: killer whales, beluga whales, whales, narwhals. In summer, the mainland coast - favorite place nesting sites for numerous birds.

Natural resources

The Arctic region contains reserves of valuable energy resources: oil and natural gas. The US Geological Survey estimated the volume of oil deposits at 90 billion barrels. This amount of energy resources can meet the needs of the world's population for 145 years in the future.

But extracting minerals and other resources in the Arctic is costly, difficult and environmentally hazardous. the main problem– liquidation of an oil spill in the event of a collision with a drifting iceberg or an accident at a drifting production station.

Russia is the main producer natural resources in the Arctic. Developed deposits are concentrated in the Yamalo-Nenets region (56% of the total gas production in the country), Norilsk (copper-nickel ores), Yakutsk (precious metals), Pechora (oil).

In the future - the production of manganese in Novaya Zemlya, gas in the Kara Sea and oil in the Barents Sea.

The United States and Canada have introduced a ban on underwater oil drilling. The decree applies to work in the Beaufort Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and Alaska.

Expeditions to the Arctic

The beginning of the development of Arctic lands dates back to XVI century. Russian navigators mastered waterway along the Arctic coastline to Pacific Ocean. V. Barents discovered the island of Spitsbergen, and the English explorer G. Hudson reached the outskirts of Greenland.

Since the 17th century, explorers have sought to find the North Pole. Two centuries later, W. Parry, D. Ross, D. Nares made expeditions to the northernmost point of the Earth, but without success. At the end of the 19th century, F. Nansen's expedition failed.

In the 18th century, V. Bering's expeditions explored the northern outskirts of Siberia, compiling maps of the ocean coast. At the beginning of the 19th century, F. Litke described the shores of Novaya Zemlya and the White Sea. In 1899, based on the idea of ​​S. Makarov, the icebreaker Ermak, designed specifically for navigation in the Arctic seas, was launched in England.

To no avail, F. Cook and R. Pari competed for primacy in the discovery of the North Pole. Since 1929, drifting polar stations have been constantly operating here, making it possible to continuously conduct scientific research.

Differences between Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica

Near the Arctic and Antarctic there are common features:

• prolonged severe frosts;
• change of polar night to polar day;
• the emergence of auroras.

Antarctica and Antarctica, the differences of which are presented in the table, are located in the southern hemisphere.

It's colder in Antarctica because water and land heat and cool differently. The Arctic is an ocean where the water is warmer than the frozen ground in Antarctica. In the summer, ocean water releases heat through the ice cover, thereby warming the Arctic air.

Temperatures are lower in Antarctica because:

• it is a frozen land with an ice cap;
• this is a high continent (and the higher it is, the colder it is);
• strong cold winds blow from the center of the continent;
• V sea ​​water glaciers are sliding;
• The continent is washed by powerful cold currents.

As a result, Antarctica protects Earth from overheating and contributes to the creation of a temperate climate in other regions.

Given the similarity of the Arctic, Antarctic and Antarctica in climate and characteristic of the polar regions physical phenomena, there are differences between them: natural, climatic, geographical and political. Today, humanity has a unique opportunity: to join the secrets of the polar regions of the Earth in the conditions of an Antarctic or Arctic cruise tour.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about Antarctica and Antarctica

What is the difference between Antarctica and Antarctica:

Parts of the earth are the knowledge that every person who graduates from school should have. However, not all adults can answer the question: how does Antarctica differ from the Arctic and Antarctic. These geographical features are located at different earth poles, so they have little in common.

What does the Arctic include?

The Arctic territory includes part of the Arctic Ocean, some of its islands, as well as some territories of Asia, North America and Europe.

The Arctic is considered cold climatic zone. The average temperature there: -34 degrees Celsius. Almost its entire territory is covered with glaciers, so the adjacent Arctic Ocean is frozen.

The area of ​​the Arctic is 21 million square kilometers. Despite the fact that almost the entire Arctic territory is covered with ice, it has many mineral resources:

1. Diamonds.
2. Phosphorus.
3. Gold and silver.
4. Carbohydrate and mineral raw materials.
5. Chrome, etc.

Concerning flora, then because low temperatures, there are practically no plants in the Arctic. There are no trees here at all, but bushes grow from the southern part of the area. Some of them reach more than two meters in height.

• cereals;
• lichens and mosses;
• herbs;
• ordinary and dwarf shrubs;

Despite the fact that there really are not many plants in the Arctic, the situation with animals is different. Many representatives of the fauna are not afraid to live in cold climates. What animals can you find here?

• polar bears;
• bighorn sheep;
• musk oxen;
• wild reindeer.

Despite severe frosts, the Arctic is home to a large number of animals

In these water resources very common valuable species fish

But do people live here? Yes, about 4 million people live in the Arctic. They live beyond the Arctic Circle. Moreover, there is even work in this cold place. There are radiometeorological centers, polar stations, as well as more than 10 international polar expeditions.

The Arctic territory even includes Russian cities, such as Tromsk, Murmansk, Norilsk and Salekhard.

The cold here does not disappear even in summer, so lovers of ice and frost often come here.

The Arctic has large reserves of gold

Antarctic

Antarctica is the southern polar region of the Earth, which is located in the South. This continent is washed by three oceans: the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic. The territory of Antarctica is adjacent to the islands of each of these oceans.

This term also has Greek roots. "Antarctica" is translated as "the opposite of the Arctic." The Arctic and Antarctic are really not very similar, even in climate. Antarctica is colder than the Arctic. For comparison, average temperature here: -49 degrees Celsius. This territory is considered the harshest area on the planet.

A peculiarity of the Antarctic territory is that it is almost completely covered with ice. The area of ​​the continent is 52 square kilometers.

Here unique nature, which is why the flora and fauna of Antarctica are diverse. Not found here freshwater fish and mammals, but these territories are inhabited by harbor seals, walruses, whales, etc. On the coast of the mainland you can find a huge number of penguins and albatrosses.

As for Antarctic vegetation, we can highlight:

• mushrooms;
• lichens and mosses;
• seaweed;
• flowering plants etc.

Since this continent is very cold, people do not live here. However, several research stations have been built here. Scientists working at these stations live research activities.

Research groups scientists in Antarctica

The Arctic and Antarctic differ not only in temperature, but also in the amount of ice.

Thus, based on these data, we can compare the Arctic and Antarctic, highlighting the following points:

1. These two regions are the extreme poles of the earth, the Arctic is the North pole, and the Antarctic is the South pole.
2. These two poles are washed by different oceans, since each of them is located at a great distance from each other.
3. The North Pole is warmer than the South Pole, so people can live there. As for Antarctica, only scientists engaged in research activities temporarily reside there.
4. Both the first and second regions have a unique climate, due to which various species of animals live there. There are also plants at each pole.
5. Part of the North Pole is divided between five states, while no one owns the territory of the South Pole.

Before determining how the Arctic differs from Antarctica, it is necessary to provide information about the second region.