Polar Climates Flashcards
(16 cards)
Where are polar regions mainly located?
Above 66° latitude – the Arctic in the north and Antarctica in the south.
How cold can it get in the Arctic and Antarctic during winter?
Below -40°C in the Arctic; below -80°C in Antarctica.
How much precipitation do polar regions receive annually?
Less than 100 mm/year in the Arctic; less than 50 mm/year in the Antarctic interior.
What physical feature characterises the Arctic?
It’s an ocean covered in ice, including parts of northern Canada, Greenland, and northern Russia.
What physical feature characterises Antarctica?
It’s an ice-covered continent that is colder and drier than the Arctic.
What are ice caps?
Areas with permanent ice cover.
What is tundra?
A frozen environment with permafrost (permanently frozen ground).
How many people live in the Arctic?
Around 4 million people.
Does Antarctica have any permanent residents?
No, only seasonal scientists.
What are traditional Arctic lifestyles based on?
Subsistence activities like hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding.
Why is arable farming not possible in the Arctic?
Due to the frozen ground and extremely cold climate.
How do traditional Arctic populations adapt to seasonal changes?
By migrating with animals and using adapted housing like turf-insulated Inuit homes.
Why is construction difficult in polar regions?
Due to the extreme cold and issues like frozen ground and melting permafrost.
How are buildings and roads adapted in polar regions?
They are often built on concrete slabs to cope with the frozen ground.
What kinds of work are seasonal in polar regions?
Tourism, oil and gas extraction, and fishing.
How does sea ice melt in summer affect shipping?
It opens shipping routes, enabling trade.
