The Canadian Arctic has a unique geography making up 55% of the countries land mass and 67% of the country’s coastline. But what makes Canada’s Arctic so different from many of the other Arctic regions in the world are its islands. The Canadian Archipelago are made up of 36,563 islands.
What is the Arctic region in Canada known for?
Thirdly icecaps or glaciers, fjords, barren tundra, pingos (huge mounds of solid ice) treeline, northern lights (aurora borealis) and the polar ice pack (permanently frozen sea ice) are just a few of the unique features found in this landscape.
What makes the Arctic region unique?
The Arctic is the most unusual region on our planet and it is not surprising that it is called enigmatic and mysterious, because this region is hiding many miracles. The Arctic has a unique nature – the giant expanses of ice and snow, huge icebergs of the most incredible and bizarre forms, drifting in the arctic seas.
What is unique about the Arctic Circle?
The Arctic Circle marks the southernmost latitude at which, on the December solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the sun will not rise all day, and on the June solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, the sun will not set.
What are 3 interesting facts about the Arctic?
Fun Facts about the Arctic and Antarctic
- The Arctic is the northernmost part of the planet, where as the Antarctic is the southernmost.
- The Arctic circle is an imaginary circle around the North Pole.
- The largest iceberg ever measured was 100,00sq km which is bigger than Jamaica.
Why is Arctic famous?
Why the Arctic is so important. The Arctic is crucial for lots of reasons. Not just because it’s home to the iconic polar bear, and four million people, but also because it helps keep our world’s climate in balance.
What makes the Canadian Arctic a good place to look for fossils?
There are polar bears and musk ox running around. But for us, it is absolutely perfect for finding fossils, because in the Arctic there are no trees, no soil, no dirt, there are no buildings. Whatever rock is there in the Arctic is actually exposed to the surface, which allows us to find lots of fossils.
What resources does Canada get from the Arctic?
There are many different natural resources in the Arctic region of Canada. The land has gold and other minerals like zinc and copper, as well as diamonds. There are many mines in the Arctic to extract these minerals and diamonds that provide jobs. Canada is the third largest producer of diamonds in the world.
What part of Arctic does Canada own?
Canada and the Arctic region
Nearly 40 percent of Canada’s land mass is considered Arctic and Northern, consisting of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, and the northern parts of several provinces.
What is the most unique animal in the Arctic?
The narwhal
Characteristics: The narwhal is one of the most peculiar animals of the Arctic. This enigmatic creature is also called the unicorn of the sea because of its incredibly long, spiral tusk.
Is the Arctic just ice or land?
The Arctic is an ocean, covered by a thin layer of perennial sea ice and surrounded by land. (“Perennial” refers to the oldest and thickest sea ice.) Antarctica, on the other hand, is a continent, covered by a very thick ice cap and surrounded by a rim of sea ice and the Southern Ocean.
Is the Arctic wet or dry?
In addition to being cold, the Arctic is also very dry. In fact, the only part of North America that gets less moisture is the desert southwest! This is due in part to the fact that colder air can hold less moisture than warm air. In essence, in winter it is too cold to snow!
Is Arctic ice salty or fresh?
At the end of winter, Arctic first-year ice has an average salinity of 4–6 parts per thousand. Antarctic first-year ice is more saline, perhaps because ice growth rates are more rapid than in the Arctic, and granular ice traps more brine.
What are 5 interesting facts about Arctic?
Here are ten underknown facts about the Arctic.
- There’s Arctic Ice Underground.
- The Arctic Is Cosmopolitan.
- The Arctic Ocean Is Opening Up.
- Polar Bears Are Marine Mammals.
- The Arctic Isn’t as Cold as You Think.
- The Secret Behind the Name.
- The North Pole Isn’t on Land.
- Freshwater.
What animal is only found in the Arctic?
The Polar Bear, Caribou, Snowy Owl, Arctic Hare, Arctic Fox, Narwhal, Walrus, Musk ox and the Beluga Whale are some of the animals which live in the Arctic.
What is valuable in the Arctic?
Arctic Mineral Resources
The most popular minerals include coal, iron ore, zinc, lead, nickel, precious metals, diamonds and gemstones. Arctic Aggregates Production Rock, stone, sand and gravel are mined throughout the Arctic region for a variety of construction projects onshore and off.
What physical features dominate the Canadian Arctic?
The Canadian Shield dominates the eastern and central portions of the Arctic mainland, and the eastern portions of the Arctic Archipelago. Rolling terrain contains a maze of lakes and rivers and a high proportion of exposed bedrock, while the mountainous terrain of Baffin Island features glaciers and ice fields.
What type of environment was the Canadian Arctic?
Canadian Arctic Tundra | |
---|---|
Climate type | ET |
Soil types | colluvial, morainal, permafrost |
Conservation | |
Habitat loss | Arctic fox, polar bear, caribou% |
What are Canada’s interests in relation to the Arctic?
As part of its commitment to support new protection for the High Arctic and create opportunities for Inuit, the Government of Canada is providing infrastructure investments totaling over $190 million to build multi-use buildings, food processing units and harbours.
How much of the Arctic is owned by Canada?
40%
The Canadian Arctic covers 40% of Canada’s territory and is home to more than 200,000 inhabitants, more than half of whom are Indigenous. Advancing Canada’s Arctic priorities involve many departments across the Government of Canada, both at home and internationally.
What unique resources does Canada have?
Canada has long ranked among the world leaders in the production of uranium, zinc, nickel, potash, asbestos, sulfur, cadmium, and titanium. It is also a major producer of iron ore, coal, petroleum, gold, copper, silver, lead, and a number of ferroalloys.