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Arctic Facts

10%

The average area, per decade, by which Arctic sea ice has shrunk during late summer since 1979. Many scientists now believe the Arctic Ocean could be seasonally ice-free within a few decades.

160

The average annual volume of ice, in billions of tons, shed by the Greenland Ice Sheet from 2003–2006. Over the past decade the overall discharge of icebergs on Greenland has surged by 30 percent.

80%

The fraction of Arctic lands governed by the Russian Federation and Canada.

Arctic Watch

Shamanic Ritual

A Chukchi shaman performing a ritual.

Video

Putin discusses future of Northern Sea Route at Arctic forum

Speaking at the second international forum “The Arctic– Territory of Dialogue” Prime Minister Vladimir Putin described the future of the Northern Sea Route and the advantages of shipping via the Arctic.

He said this route will considerably reduce shipping times from Europe to East and Southeast Asia.

The second international forum “The Arctic – Territory of Dialogue”, organized by the Russian Geographical Society, is being held in Arkhangelsk on September 22-24. The main topic of the forum is the development of the region’s transportation system. Vladimir Putin is the head of the Russian Geographical Society’s Board of Trustees.