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Arctic

It's the northernmost region of the planet. And it's vastly important — geopolitically, for the global climate system, and for the plants and animals that depend on its icy ecosystems.

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All Content on this topic

Antarktis | Klimawandel | Pinguine

Why are there no penguins in the Arctic?

There are nearly 20 species of penguin. All but one live in the southern hemisphere. Why is that?
ScienceJuly 13, 202302:53 min
DW Close Up Program Guide Sendungslogo

Welcome to Svalbard - A new home in the Arctic

The archipelago Svalbard in the Arctic is a place anyone can call home.
SocietyDecember 26, 202228:36 min
Living Planet 210318 Podcast Picture Teaser

Thaw in the Arctic: Researching ice at the North Pole

The icebreaker and cruise ship, the Commandant Charcot, invited climatologists on its maiden voyage to the North Pole.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 6, 202230:00 min
A wide shot of the North Pole on August 16, 2015

NATO 'must increase its presence in the Arctic'

NATO chief Stoltenberg told a German newspaper that Russia and China have big plans for the polar region.
ConflictsAugust 28, 2022
Eisschollen in Norwegen

Full speed ahead through the Northeast Passage

The shipping industry is hoping for a new trade route across the Arctic. How is it preparing for it?
ScienceFebruary 25, 202206:07 min
Tiny island surrounded by ice

Scientists stumble upon world's northernmost island

A team of researchers has come across the Earth's most northerly island due to a mix-up with satellite tracking.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 28, 2021
DW Euromaxx Zuschaueraktion "abgelegene Orte" Buch englisch

The remotest place that you have ever visited

We wanted to know what was the remotest place that you have ever visited. Find out here whether you won the prize draw.
LifestyleApril 26, 2021
Polarstern vessel

German research vessel to return from 'dying Arctic'

Researchers on the world's biggest mission to the North Pole are set to return, bringing home proof of a "dying Arctic."
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 12, 2020
Sea ice breaks apart as the Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica traverses the Northwest Passage

Arctic ice shrinks to 2nd lowest level on record

Germany's research ship Polarstern is on its way home after even reaching the North Pole through open water patches.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 22, 2020
A section of a glacier is seen from NASA's Operation IceBridge research aircraft on March 29, 2017

NASA's IceBridge in the Arctic Circle

IceBridge uses remote sensing to monitor Earth's major ice sheets, including the extent to which they are changing.
Nature and EnvironmentApril 7, 201710 images
Norwegen Fjord

Temperatures at North Pole undergo 'heat wave'

Temperatures in the Arctic region have reached record highs in the past days.
ScienceDecember 24, 2016
Galerie - Der Klimawandel und seine Folgen

Arctic threatened by Atlantic storm?

Storm Frank in Atlantic pushes Arctic temperatures far above typical levels, also threatening more rain in flood-hit UK.
December 30, 2015
Russischer Eisbrecher in der Kara See

Russia setting up Arctic military base

Moscow officials say Russia is close to completing a permanent military compound on the island of Alexandra Land.
October 21, 2015
Russland Atom-U-Boot Jekaterinburg in Murmansk

Russian navy eyes Arctic

Revised Russian naval doctrine highlights Arctic, Atlantic oceans
July 27, 2015

Denmark claims North Pole via Greenland

Interest in the Arctic is intensifying as global warming shrinks the polar ice, opening up possible resource development. That’s why Denmark plans to request formal recognition for an extended area of continental shelf.
December 15, 2014
The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Louis S. St-Laurent makes its way through the ice in Baffin Bay on July 10, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward URN:20490555 +++ picture alliance / empics

Canada North Pole mission

Canada has launched a mission to map the seabed surrounding the North Pole in support of its bid to claim the potentially mineral-rich area. It is facing a number of rival claims, including one from Russia.
August 9, 2014
An aerial view of the research ship 'Polarstern' (North Star) sailing on the Arctic Ocean at the North Pole. (Photo: dpa)

Arctic shipping

As global warming thaws sea ice, the opportunities for Arctic shipping begin to grow.
June 28, 2013
Rosie Stancer on her North Pole expedition

Conquering the Arctic

After crossing Antarctica, Rosie Stancer is headed north to be the first woman to walk both poles.
May 15, 2013
Arial view of The Melting Vitruvian Man in copper on ice in the Arctic

Disappearing ice

In the Arctic, Greenpeace pays tribute to da Vinci to highlight the region's vanishing ice.
September 7, 2011
The ice cap on the North Pole

Arctic Treasures

While some worry about the North Pole melting away, five countries are waiting for just that.
January 13, 2008
Steinmeier and his Norwegian counterpart Stoere in Spitzbergen

Pleading for the Arctic

Germany's foreign minister cautions against countries getting greedy about the Arctic's resources.
August 29, 2007