North Pole

The North Pole is the point on the Earth's surface where the planet's axis of rotation intersects it. It is the location where latitude reaches 90 degrees north. At this point, all lines of longitude converge, so the conventional directions no longer apply in their usual sense: from any location, all paths lead south.

Unlike the South Pole, which sits on solid continental ice, the North Pole lies in the Arctic Ocean. The area above it consists of sea ice that constantly shifts and moves due to wind and waves. For this reason, there is no permanent marker on the spot; the water beneath reaches depths of thousands of meters.

Geographic and magnetic poles

Several types of poles are distinguished. The geographic pole is the point of the planet's axis of rotation. The magnetic north pole is where the Earth's magnetic field points downward and is a shifting location that moves kilometers each year, affecting compass readings. There is also a "geomagnetic pole" based on a simplified model of magnetic measurement.

Light and climate

Because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, the North Pole experiences one continuous day and one continuous night each year: the sun is visible at the pole for roughly six months, and absent for the other six. During summer, the sun remains low on the horizon, so the heat it provides is minimal. Temperatures throughout the year generally stay below freezing, and in summer approach the edge of the ice pack.

Exploration and reaching the pole

During the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous expeditions attempted to reach the pole using dogs, reindeer, aircraft, and ships. Early claims from the early 20th century remain disputed because location calculation and expedition records were incomplete. Today the pole is reached by icebreaker ships, aircraft, and scientific and tourism expeditions.

Law and interest

The North Pole has no sovereign government. The Arctic Ocean falls under international maritime law, while coastal states—Russia, Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, and the United States—assert rights over the seabed based on geographic shares. The melting of ice has increased interest in shipping routes and resources.