ártica

Ártica is the feminine form of the adjective ár tíco, used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe things related to the Arctic region. The word derives from the Greek arktikos meaning “of the bear,” via Latin Arcticus, and is linked to the circumpolar area around the North Pole, historically associated with the Great Bear constellation in the northern sky.

Geography: The Arctic region comprises the Arctic Ocean and the surrounding lands of northern North America (including Alaska and parts of Canada), Greenland, and parts of northern Europe and northern Asia (including parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia). The conventional boundary is the Arctic Circle at about 66°33′ north. The term ártica is used with feminine nouns such as región árctica, zona ártica, and fauna árctica.

Climate and environment: The region is characterized by cold temperatures, long winters, and short, cool summers, with extreme seasonal daylight variations (polar night and midnight sun). Permafrost and sea ice are key features, although climate change has reduced ice extent and altered habitats and ocean circulation.

Biology: Tundra and ice-associated ecosystems host species such as the polar bear, Arctic fox, musk ox, ringed and bearded seals, narwhal, and various seabirds. Plant life is dominated by mosses, lichens, grasses, and dwarf shrubs.

Human aspects: Indigenous peoples including Inuit, Sámi, Nenets, Chukchi, and others have inhabited the region for millennia. Contemporary activities include scientific research, shipping routes via the Northern Sea Route, and natural resource exploration, all of which are affected by environmental changes and international governance through bodies like the Arctic Council.