GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

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Page last updated on November 15, 2012

Background:
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. In recent years the polar ice pack has thinned allowing for increased navigation and raising the possibility of future sovereignty and shipping disputes among countries bordering the Arctic Ocean.

NOTE: The information regarding Arctic Ocean on this page is re-published from the 2013 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Arctic Ocean Introduction 2013 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Arctic Ocean Introduction 2013 should be addressed to the CIA.