The Arctic
The term "Arctic" is derived from the Greek word "arktos" for bear and meant "land below (the sign of) the Great Bear" - although, strictly speaking, land in this context is not correct. In fact, the Arctic is a vast surface of ice, ranging from a thickness of 5 meters to 5 centimeters - an area larger than the USA. It conMartinally changes (in summer the ice is only about half the area) and due to the rotation of the earth it is constantly moving.
The Arctic is a wasteland hostile to man. And yet this inhospitable ice desert has always captivated man. As late as the beginning of the 19th century scientists assumed that the poles represented openings into the interior of the earth. That’s why already at an early stage man wanted to explore this unknown world.
Although the Arctic Ocean is said to be rich in fish only few animals such as polar bears and polar foxes live on the ice floes.
Conquering the North Pole
