Noordpool

Noordpool is the Dutch term for the geographic North Pole, the northernmost point on Earth where the planet's axis intersects the surface. It lies at 90 degrees north latitude in the central Arctic Ocean. There is no land at the pole; the location is covered by sea ice that drifts across the Arctic Ocean and changes with the seasons.

The climate at Noordpool is extreme and polar. Winters are dark and cold, with temperatures well below freezing, while summers bring continuous daylight and relatively milder, though still cold, conditions. The sea ice is seasonal and has been thinning and retreating in recent decades due to climate change, affecting local oceanography and ecosystems.

Geodetically, the North Pole is a reference point for the Earth's coordinate system; at the pole, all lines of longitude converge, so direction based on longitude loses meaning in an exact sense. The pole has been the target of polar exploration since the late 19th century and remains a focus for scientific research, including studies of climate, oceanography, and Arctic biology.

The surrounding Arctic environment supports species such as polar bears, walruses, seals, and various seabirds, and it is a region of active international scientific collaboration and environmental monitoring. Increasing interest in Arctic navigation and potential resource development is balanced by environmental protections and agreements among Arctic nations.