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The Poles: Comparing the Poles

The biggest difference is that the Arctic region is essentially a frozen ocean surrounded by continents. Antarctica is a continent surrounded by an ocean. And even though the Arctic is mostly a frozen ocean, the Arctic climate is more hospitable to human and animal life than the ice-locked Antarctic continent. See a simple comparison below:

Physical Features

Antarctica

Arctic

Antarctica has mountains and volcanoesThe Arctic is mostly ice covered ocean
The Antarctic is a continent surrounded by oceanThe Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents
Maximum sea ice extent: 8 million square milesMaximum sea ice extent: 7 million square miles
The area is 6 million square milesThe area is 5.4 million square miles
The annual mean temperature at the South Pole is -60FThe annual mean temperature at the North Pole is 0°F
Total coastline: 18,000 milesTotal coastline: 25,000 miles

Plants & Wildlife

Antarctica

Arctic

Antarctica has penguinsThe Arctic has polar bears
No tundra or tree linesThe tundra is well developed and marked by a tree shrubline
No terrestrial mammalsTerrestrial mammals include musk ox, reindeer, caribou, foxes, hares, wolves, lemming, bears, and more
Marine mammals include whales, porpoises and sealsMarine mammals include whales, porpoises, seals, and amphibious mammals

Human Impact

Antarctica

Arctic

Antarctica has no permanent populationThe Arctic has a native population
No record of primitive humans and no native groupsThere are native people with a long cultural record
There are no permanent residents at 60°S, but there is a sparse population at scattered scientific stationsHuman population north of 60°N is in excess of 2 million with modern settlements
First crossing of the Antarctic Circle was by James Cook on January 17, 1773The first crossing of the Arctic Circle is prehistoric

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Seasons

extreme weather

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Weather

melting ice

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Human Impact

Antarctica

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Location/Geography

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Ocean Circulation

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Ecosystem

The Arctic

arctic geography

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Location/Geography

arctic circulation

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Ocean Circulation

arctic ecosystem

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Ecosystem

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