Courtesy of the CIA World Fact Book

The Arctic
Despite a reputation for being desolate, the Arctic supports a variety of species, including humans. Many of those species rely on its blurred overlap of land and ice for their survival. The Arctic has no strict definition but instead takes into account the following:
- The Arctic Circle, located at about N66° 33' latitude, is the line above which for at least one day of the year the sun does not set.
- The 10° isotherm, a fluctuating line indicating where the average July temperature is below 10° C (50°F).
- The treeline, related to daylight and the isotherm but affected by icy Arctic winds.
- Related to the southernmost extent of winter sea ice.

The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is dynamic and powerful, exerting influence over the small Arctic explorer and large global weather patterns. At one and half times the size of the United States, it is the world's smallest ocean. It averages 5,010 feet in depth, but reaches over 14,000 ft. Almost landlocked by three continents; with low evaporation and low outflow and yet constant inflow of freshwater from its surrounding continents, the Arctic Ocean has a relatively low salinity. It freezes relatively easily, yet is characterized by change and variety. Its surface of ice and snow is in an endless process of freezing, thawing, fracture and collision. Chunks of ice often pile up in fields of rubble or ice ridges. Some ice forms newly every year while other ice remains for years, gaining thickness with age. Average thickness of the ice is two to three meters.

Arctic History
The history of the Arctic is characterized by the hunt for resources--whaling, furs and oil--and inspired throughout time by wonder, mystery and the search for the beyond. Exploration has led to amazing stories of challenge, hardship, success, failure and unbelievable inspiration. Much of what is known about the Arctic and the Arctic Ocean is based on the observations of exploiters and explorers alike. This science and associated hypotheses is now more widely available than ever. Major environmental incidents include nuclear testing, the ozone hole created by CFCs and HSFCs, oil spills and now significant climate change. Some argue that it is in the Arctic that we will see the clearest signs of the future.

The Environment
The Arctic has always been a place of light and dark. The summer is associated with an overabundance of light, up to 24 hours a day, when average temperature then is around 32°F. The opposite and dark time of the year, when the sun is never seen, is much colder, averaging -30°F. Due to the high humidity and wind chill those temperatures feel even colder. During the expedition, travel conditions could be intensely sunny, depressingly overcast, windy with blowing snow, whiteout, foggy or a mixture.