Country Profile: Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean, the smallest of the world's five ocean basins, lies between Europe, Asia, and North America, primarily north of the Arctic Circle. This unique region is characterized by its polar climate and varying conditions, such as continuous daylight in summer and darkness in winter. Although it has no permanent population, the Arctic Ocean is significant for its natural resources and strategic shipping routes, notably the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route. Governance of this area involves multiple Arctic coastal states, raising potential for sovereignty and shipping disputes as climate change alters its accessibility.

Geography

The Arctic Ocean encompasses an area of about 15.558 million sq km, making it slightly less than one and a half times the size of the United States. It is characterized by a polar climate, including recurring ice formations and a diverse undersea terrain comprising features like abyssal plains, mid-ocean ridges, and vast continental shelves. The ocean boasts a coastline of 45,389 km and experiences significant seasonal ice cover.

1.4%: Percentage of the world's ocean total volume that the Arctic Ocean constitutes.
-5,577 m: The depth of Molloy Deep, the ocean's deepest point.
1,500 km: Width of the Eurasian continental shelf, the largest in the world.

Environment

The Arctic Ocean faces pressing environmental issues, including changes in biodiversity and temperature, water pollution from toxic chemicals, and endangered marine species. The thinning polar ice pack is particularly concerning, as it affects the ecosystem's ability to recover from disruptions. The region's unique climate plays a significant role in these environmental challenges, notably influencing its seasonal conditions.

708 mt: Total catch in the Arctic fishery region in 2019, the smallest in the world.
16-year ban: Agreement among Arctic nations in 2017 to halt fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean for ecological study.

Government

The Arctic Ocean is not a country and thus lacks a formal government structure of its own. However, its name is derived from the Greek word arktikos, referring to the northern regions or the constellation Ursa Major, also known as the "Great Bear." This etymology reflects the area's long-standing association with its geographical and cultural significance.

Transportation

Transportation across the Arctic Ocean is limited due to a sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes. However, seasonal waterways such as the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route are vital for navigation, especially as climate change alters ice coverage, making these routes more accessible.

45,389 km: Length of the Arctic Ocean coastline, significant for potential transit routes.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Area	15.558 million sq km	Total area includes various seas
Volume	18.75 million cu km	Ocean volume
Coastline	45,389 km	Length of the coastline
Depth (Molloy Deep)	-5,577 m	Deepest point in the Arctic Ocean
Ocean Area Comparison	Slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US	Area comparison
Marine Catch (2019)	708 mt	Total catch in the Arctic region