The word “arctic” is derived from the Greek word “ἀρκτικός” (arktikos), which means “near the bear”, in reference to the constellation known as Ursa Major (Big Dipper) the "Great Bear", which is prominent in the northern region of the celestial sphere, or to the constellation Ursa Minor, the "Little Bear", which contains Polaris (the Pole star), also known as the North Star.
The Arctic is defined as the region above the Arctic Circle, an imaginary line that circles the globe at approximately 66° 34' N. The Arctic Circle marks the latitude above which the sun does not set on the summer solstice, and does not rise on the winter solstice. At the North Pole, the sun rises once each year and sets once each year: there are six months of continuous
The Arctic is defined as the region above the Arctic Circle, an imaginary line that circles the globe at approximately 66° 34' N. The Arctic Circle marks the latitude above which the sun does not set on the summer solstice, and does not rise on the winter solstice. At the North Pole, the sun rises once each year and sets once each year: there are six months of continuous