Arctic Region: Geography, Resources and Rival Claims
Why in the news
The Arctic was back in focus as melting ice opened shipping lanes and resources, drawing military and strategic rivalry among major powers.
Key facts
- Arctic Council: eight members, handling scientific research, environmental protection and indigenous rights.
- Resources: roughly 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its untapped gas are believed to lie here.
- Northeast Passage: runs along Russia’s Arctic coast; saves about 8,000 km between East Asia and Europe.
- UNCLOS: a state may push its seabed claim beyond 200 nautical miles if the area is a natural extension of its continental shelf.
- Overlapping claims: Canada, Denmark and Russia.
- Russia operates the largest Arctic fleet, including nuclear-powered icebreakers.
Flashpoints
| Issue | Parties | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Passage | Canada vs US | Canada: internal waters. US: international waterway with free navigation. |
| Greenland | US, Denmark | The US tried to purchase Greenland on security grounds; Denmark strengthened its defences there. |
| Russia and NATO | Russia, NATO, China | Russian Arctic bases; 2022 naval drills with China; Russian claim on Svalbard; Finland and Sweden joined NATO. |
| China’s ambitions | China, Russia | ‘Near-Arctic State’ label (2018); plan for nuclear icebreakers and use of Arctic trade lanes. |
About the region
- Northernmost polar zone covering parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska (US), Canada, Greenland (Denmark) and Iceland.
- Terrain is mostly tundra with permafrost; seas freeze seasonally.
- Wildlife includes whales, seals, walruses, polar bears, Arctic foxes and reindeer; plants are mosses, lichens and low shrubs.
- Indigenous groups: Sami (Scandinavia), Inuit (Canada, Greenland), Chukchi and Nenets (Russia).
Way ahead
- More NATO and Russian military activity.
- A scramble for oil, gas and rare earth elements.
- New alliances and claims will decide the region’s future.
Exam angle
- Arctic Council: eight member nations.
- Legal basis for extended seabed claims: UNCLOS, 200 nautical mile limit.
- Related terms: Northeast Passage, Northwest Passage, Svalbard, Near-Arctic State.