jäämeren

Jäämeri is the Finnish word for the Arctic Ocean. It is the smallest and shallowest of the world's five major oceans, located in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly north of the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by Eurasia and North America. Its waters are largely covered by sea ice, though the extent of this ice cover varies seasonally and has been significantly reduced in recent decades due to climate change.

The Arctic Ocean is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Greenland Sea and Labrador Sea, and to the Pacific Ocean through the Bering Strait. Its marginal seas include the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, East Siberian Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, and Greenland Sea. The ocean floor features the Lomonosov Ridge, a submarine mountain range.

The Arctic Ocean plays a crucial role in global climate regulation due to its ice cover, which reflects solar radiation. Its ecosystem is adapted to cold temperatures and low light conditions, supporting unique marine life such as polar bears, seals, whales, and various fish species. Indigenous communities have inhabited the Arctic region for millennia, relying on the ocean for sustenance and cultural practices. Geopolitical interest in the Arctic has increased due to its strategic location and potential resources, as well as the opening of new shipping routes as the ice recedes.