Category: Geography > Arctic
Canada’s Arctic Archipelago is home to the world’s northernmost inhabited community, Alert, located on Ellesmere Island. This archipelago consists of over 36,000 islands, making it one of the largest island groups globally. One of its most fascinating geographical features is the presence of "polynya," areas of open water surrounded by sea ice that remain unfrozen in the harsh Arctic winters. These polynyas play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, providing vital habitats for marine life such as seals and polar bears, and serving as important hunting grounds for Indigenous communities. The unique interplay of ice and open water not only sustains diverse wildlife but also highlights the resilience of life in one of the planet's most extreme environments.