Added: 03/21/2006 |
Sail the Arctic Seas and Experience a Cool Culture!Centered approximately on the North Pole, the Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's oceans, covering about 4,732,000 square miles. The ocean is divided into two nearly equal basins: The Eurasia and the Amerasia. The Arctic Ocean is surrounded by landmasses of Eurasia, North America, and Greenland, and is unlike the other three oceans because of the perennial ice cover. A number of Arctic seas contribute to the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Barents Sea, arm of the Arctic Ocean, bounded on the west by the Norwegian archipelago and on the east by the two islands of Novaya Zemlya, which belong to Russia.
The sea extends north from Norway, Finland, and Russia for about 1450 km. The Barents Sea is shallow, and the southern part is free of ice all year. Among Arctic seas are Beaufort Sea Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea and Bering Sea. Davis Strait is a broad channel, connecting the North Atlantic Ocean and Baffin Bay, and separating Greenland and Baffin Island, northeastern Canada. The cold Labrador Current flows south through the strait, along the coast of Baffin Island, carrying ice floes with it during most of the year.
Greenland Sea is one of the Arctic seas that lie between Greenland and Svalbard, north of Iceland. Kara Sea is the southern arm of the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of Russia, situated between the islands of Novaya Zemlya, Severnaya Zemlya, and the northwestern coast of Siberia in Russia. Ice-locked for most of the year, the sea is usually a navigable fishing ground during August and September. The Kara Sea is very shallow in the east but relatively deep in the west.
Tides are semidiurnal (two times a day) and fairly weak. Labrador Sea lies between Greenland and Labrador. Norwegian Sea, a part of the North Atlantic Ocean, lies roughly between Norway, Iceland, and Jan Mayen.
In summer, the wind stirs the waters the Arctic Ocean to bring minerals to the surface, nourishing the plankton that in turn attracts numerous birds and sea mammals to these shores. Arctic cruise is a perfect way to explore the ice-fringed waters of the Arctic. Discover the North Pole. Sailing from Murmansk, Russia, head north across the Barents Sea breaking into the dense Arctic pack ice. Only very few vessels have the power to negotiate the challenging ice of the Arctic seas. Navigating the polar pack at speeds up to 12 knots, you'll be thrilled by an ever-changing panorama of wind-polished ice, narrow channels of dark green water and aquamarine pools. From the North Pole, head south to Franz Josef Land, a marvelous place of glaciers, volcanic mountains and wildlife.
Arctic journeys present an alternative to the large, expensive cruise ships, offering a comfortable and affordable way to experience remote regions in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. The deck views from promenade are ideal for exploring the spectacular vistas of Greenland, Iceland, Labrador, Newfoundland and Spitsbergen. The Arctic abounds in areas rich in wildlife. Take your time to explore all that the majestic Arctic Ocean has to offer.
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