27 Interesting Facts About the North Pole

If there are hard-to-reach places in the world, the North Pole is certainly one of them. Due to extreme climatic conditions, this area remained unexplored for a long time, and even today, despite advances in science and technology, we don’t know everything about it. However, the North Pole usually interests scientists less than the South Pole because there is nothing here but deep ocean.

Facts About the North Pole

1. Any other point on the Earth’s surface in relation to the North Pole is always to the south.
2. The closest inhabited place to the North Pole is the Canadian settlement of Alert, which is 817 kilometers away.
3. In summer, the air over the ocean surface here warms up to 0 degrees Celsius, while in winter, the average temperature is around -40 degrees Celsius.
4. The term “North Pole” was first mentioned in the works of 15th-century scholars.
5. The depth of the Arctic Ocean at the North Pole reaches 4,261 meters.
6. Humans first sought a sea route through the North Pole in the 17th century, driven by the need to find a convenient way to reach China, with which profitable trade relations were gradually being established at the time.
7. Many attempts were made to reach the North Pole, but it was only successfully achieved for the first time in 1948. Some explorers claimed to have done it earlier, but they lacked convincing evidence.
8. Roald Amundsen, the famous explorer and first person to reach the South Pole, also became the first to reach the North Pole by air, aboard a dirigible. This made him the first person in history to circumnavigate the Earth via its poles.
9. Polar day and night here last for 193 and 172 days, respectively. In reality, the duration is slightly different—daytime is somewhat shorter, but due to light reflection from the atmosphere, it effectively lasts as long as stated.
10. The North Pole has no longitude because it is the intersection of all meridians. The South Pole also has no longitude.
11. In winter, the ice in this area covers twice the area it does in summer.
12. According to international law, neither the North Pole itself nor the surrounding waters belong to any country.
13. At night, you can always see the bright North Star directly overhead.
14. Contrary to popular belief, there are no penguins in these parts. They live only in the Southern Hemisphere of our planet.
15. The North Pole is significantly warmer than the South Pole because it is at sea level in the middle of an ocean, which acts as a heat reservoir, unlike the South Pole, which is on a high-altitude continent.
16. Estimates suggest that 20 to 30 percent of the world’s oil reserves are located in the vicinity of the North Pole.
17. The Earth’s North Magnetic Pole does not coincide with the geographic North Pole. In fact, it cannot coincide because it constantly moves.
18. Midnight Sun: During the summer, the North Pole experiences continuous daylight, known as the “midnight sun,” for about six months. Conversely, during the winter, it experiences polar night, where the sun does not rise above the horizon for about six months.
19. Exploration Milestones: The first successful manned expedition to the North Pole was achieved by American explorer Robert Peary in 1909, although this claim has been disputed. Some believe Frederick Cook may have reached the Pole a year earlier, though this is also contested.
20. Polar Bears: The North Pole is home to polar bears, which are native to the Arctic region. These apex predators are well-adapted to the harsh, icy environment and rely on the ice to hunt seals, their primary food source.
21. International Disputes: Several countries, including Russia, Canada, and Denmark, have laid claims to parts of the Arctic region, including the North Pole, due to its potential resources. These claims are based on the extension of their continental shelves under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
22. Scientific Research: The North Pole is a focal point for scientific research, particularly in studying climate change. The region is warming at twice the rate of the global average, making it a critical area for understanding the effects of global warming.
23. North Pole Marathon: An annual marathon is held at the North Pole, where participants run on the frozen ice. It is one of the most extreme marathon events in the world, with temperatures often plunging well below freezing.
24. Global Positioning: The exact location of the North Pole is constantly shifting due to the movement of the Earth’s crust, a phenomenon known as “polar motion.” This movement is small but measurable, affecting how the North Pole is defined geographically.
25. Aurora Borealis: The North Pole is one of the best places on Earth to witness the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. This natural light display occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, creating vibrant colors in the sky.
26. North Pole Expeditions: Modern expeditions to the North Pole often use icebreakers, specially designed ships capable of navigating through thick sea ice. These expeditions are essential for scientific research, as well as for adventure tourism.
27. Melting Ice Caps: The ice cap at the North Pole is shrinking due to global warming, with some predictions suggesting that the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer months within this century. This melting has far-reaching implications for global sea levels and climate patterns.