ARCTIC REGION IS MADE UP OF 8 COUNTRIES 261


TERRESTRIAL fauna species


The Arctic is seasonally populated by roughly 200 species of birds, corresponding to about 2% of global avian species diversity. Every summer thousands of seabirds flock to breed in numerous colonies. 61 terrestrial mammal species only a few hardy species such as the Arctic Fox, Svalbard Reindeer and Polar Bears stay year round facing the cold and dark months of the winter.


45°


There are 12 species of marine mammals that regularly inhabit the Arctic: 4 species of whales (Bowhead, Grey, narwhal and Beluga), the polar bear, the walrus, and 6 species of ice-associated seals (Bearded, ribbon, Ringed, Spotted, Harp and Hooded), Several additional species (e.g. Sperm whales, Blue whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Harbour Porpoise) are spotted occasionally.


12 1,700 SILVER CLOUD


PLANT species


Plants have developed surprising strategies to survive in this harsh environment, like asexual reproduction. The vegetation of tundra is low growing, and consists mainly of sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs, wildflowers, mosses, and lichens.


1906


Guests capacity: up to 254 Crew capacity: 223 Last refurbishment: 2017


MARINE 60° fauna species 75° 75° 90° North Pole 105° 90°


Ice sheets hold about 77% of the World’s freshwater, of this only 10% in the Greenland Icecap, so 7.7% of the world's freshwater is in Greenland. The Greenland Ice sheet covers staggering 1,71 million sq km.


105° 120° 120° 135° 135° ICE THICKNESS 2/3 Km 150° 165° 180° 165° 150°


About 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock. Much of Ice Sheet is over 2km thick and it is 3kn at its thickest point. If the whole 2.85 million cubic kilometres of ice were to melt it would raise global sea levels by 7.2m or 23.6ft.


FIRST EXPLORED


The Northwest Passage was navigated by Roald Amundsen, a famous Norwegian polar explorer who also led the first successful expedition to the South Pole.


Total Expedition team members: 28 Number of Zodiacs: 16 Kayak program: Yes


ANTARCTICA IS A FROZEN CONTINENT SURROUNDED BY OCEANS


17 235 MARINE fauna species


Seven pinniped species inhabit Antarctica. The largest, the elephant seal and the Antarctic fur seal live north of the sea ice. The other four species can live on the sea ice - Crabeater seals, Weddell seals, leopard seals and Ross seals. There are 10 cetacean species; six baleen whales, and four toothed whales and Orcas.


950


FLORA species


Mosses and liverworts (plants with dormant life cycles) of the lichen, bryophyte, algae and fungi variety grown in Antarctica. Most growth lasts just a few weeks during the height of summer. There are 200 species of lichens and 50 species of moss in Antarctica, while algae are in abundance with 700 species of mostly phytoplankton.


1773 FIRST EXPLORED


In 1773 James Cook and his crew crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time. continent further south they did not catch sight of Antarctica itself.


They discovered South Georgia in 1775, but although Cook surmised a frozen 60° 60° 75° 75° 90° South Pole 105° 90°


About 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock. The ice surface dramatically grows in size from about 3 million square kilometre s (1.2 million square miles) at the end of summer to about 19 million square kilometres (7.3 million square miles) by winter.


105° 120° 120° ICE THICKNESS 2.16 km 135° 135° 150° 165° 180° 165° 150°


The mean thickness of the Antarctic ice sheet is 2.16 km; the maximum known thickness of the ice sheet is 4776 m (Terre Adélie). Without the ice, Antarctica may be the lowest lying continent; the greatest known depression of bedrock is the Byrd Subglacial Basin, at 2538 m below sea level.


There are numerous research stations set up across the continent Summer: 4,400 people reside Winter: 1,000 people


1,000 POPULATION


TERRESTRIAL fauna species


BIRDS: wandering albatross, snow petrel, Antarctic skua, blue eyed shag, giant petrel, cape petrel, snowy sheathbill, Antarctica tern. PENGUINS: king penguins (South Georgia voyages only), Adélie penguins, chinstrap penguins, Gentoo penguin


15° 30° 45° 0° 15° 30° 45° OF ANTARCTICA'S SURFACE


98% ICE SHEETS


0°/15° Celsius ( 32/ 59° Fahrenheit )


The Antarctic is colder than the Arctic because Antarctica is a landmass: receives less heat from the ocean


Indigenous populations now range from about 80% in Greenland, 50% in Canada, 20% in Alaska, 15% in Arctic Norway and 4% in Arctic Russia.


4 SILVER EXPLORER


Guests capacity: 144 Crew capacity: 118 Last refurbishment: 2017


Total Expedition team members: 12 Number of Zodiacs: 10 Kayak program: No


MILLION POPULATION


0° 15° 30° 15° 30° 45° 60° OF EARTH’S SUPPLY OF FRESHWATER.


7.7% ICE SHEETS


3°/ 12° Celsius (37°/54° Fahrenheit) SUMMER TEMPERATURES


LONDON TROMSØ 3h 30mins


AVERAGE FLIGHT TIME. TOTAL DISTANCE 1393 MILES


LONDON USHUAIA 25h 20mins


SHORTEST MULTI-FLIGHT DURATION. TOTAL DISTANCE 8,321 MILES


SUMMER TEMPERATURES

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