Nordpol

Nordpol, or North Pole in English, is the point where the Earth’s axis meets the planet’s surface at latitude 90° north. It lies in the center of the Arctic Ocean, on shifting sea ice, and is not on any land. Because the ice drifts with currents, there is no fixed ground or sovereign territory at the pole.

The immediate surroundings are characterized by a harsh marine environment with a permanent ice cover that varies seasonally. In recent decades the Arctic has experienced significant warming, leading to thinner sea ice and longer periods of open water in summer. The ecosystem is adapted to extreme conditions and includes species such as polar bears, ringed seals, and various seabirds. The region plays a key role in global climate and ocean circulation.

Exploration and milestones mark the pole’s history. In 1909 Robert Peary claimed to reach the pole, though the claim is controversial. The 1926 Norge expedition, using an airship, is commonly cited as the first to reach the vicinity of the pole. The first submarine to reach the pole beneath the ice was USS Nautilus in 1958. The first widely accepted surface expedition to reach the pole occurred in 1968, conducted by Ralph Plaisted and colleagues. In 2007 Russia planted a symbolic flag on the seabed beneath the pole, highlighting interest in surrounding areas.

Geopolitically, the North Pole sits outside national sovereignty. No country owns the pole itself, and sovereignty claims in the Arctic Ocean are governed by international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Several states have overlapping claims to the adjacent continental shelves, and ongoing research and resource considerations continue to influence Arctic policy and navigation.