10 Fascinating Facts About the Arctic You Probably Didn’t Know

The Arctic. A place that sounds more like a dream than a destination — where the sun sometimes refuses to set, polar bears roam the ice, and local legends live on in Indigenous communities who have called this region home for thousands of years. It’s a remote, rugged, and richly rewarding corner of the planet — and one we’re proud to help travelers fall in love with every season.

From the edges of northern Canada to the icy coastlines of Greenland and Svalbard, the Arctic touches eight different countries: Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Russia, and the United States. And while it's often imagined as just a land of snow and silence, the Arctic is full of vibrant life, wild wonders, and fascinating history.

Here are 10 Arctic facts that might just surprise you — and get you dreaming of your own northern adventure.

1. The Arctic Ocean may be the smallest — but it’s still massive.
It’s easy to overlook the Arctic Ocean compared to the Atlantic or Pacific, but it’s still the size of a continent — covering roughly 14 million square kilometers, or nearly twice the size of Australia. Most of it is covered in drifting sea ice, which ebbs and flows with the seasons, creating a dynamic landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth.

2. Polar bears are Arctic locals — and powerful predators.
These iconic creatures are found only in the Arctic. Polar bears are the largest land carnivores on Earth and are what scientists call hypercarnivores, meaning over 70% of their diet is meat (mostly seals). Despite their size and strength, polar bear cubs are born unbelievably small — about the size of a guinea pig — in cozy snow dens deep in winter. Unfortunately, with the rapid decline of sea ice, polar bears are now classified as vulnerable to extinction, making responsible Arctic travel and climate awareness more important than ever.

3. Greenland blooms in summer.
Yes, it’s icy — 84% of Greenland is permanently covered by the second-largest ice sheet in the world — but in the summer months, the lower valleys burst into color. There are more than 500 species of flowering plants, ferns, and grasses across the island. Keep an eye out for Niviarsiaq, or broad-leaf fireweed, Greenland’s national flower — a vibrant pink bloom that pops against the tundra's muted tones.

4. Svalbard reindeer might greet you in the street.
If you visit Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world (and the capital of Svalbard), don’t be surprised if you run into a reindeer while walking to dinner. These short-legged, Arctic-adapted reindeer are totally unbothered by humans and often wander casually through town. Thankfully, they’re not aggressive — just curious neighbors.

5. In summer, the sun doesn’t set. Literally.
North of the Arctic Circle, the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun means daylight can last for weeks — or even months — depending on how far north you go. Around the summer solstice in June, the sun stays above the horizon for up to 30 days. Head all the way to the North Pole and you’ll find 187 days of continuous daylight. There’s truly nothing like sipping coffee (or champagne) at midnight under a glowing Arctic sky.

6. Iceland is still making itself.
Nicknamed the “Land of Fire and Ice,” Iceland sits on a volcanic hotspot and a tectonic rift, which means it’s constantly evolving. Over the past 200 years, 30 different volcanoes have erupted across the country. But all that geothermal energy has a bonus: it powers almost all of Iceland’s homes with clean, sustainable heat. It’s one of the greenest places on Earth — and one of the most geologically fascinating.

7. The Arctic is home to people, not just polar bears.
Roughly 4 million people live in the Arctic, and about 10% are Indigenous — including the Inuit of Canada and Greenland, the Sámi of northern Scandinavia, and dozens of other cultural groups with deep traditions and rich heritage. In Greenland alone, nearly 89% of the population identifies as Inuit, with distinct groups like the Kalaallit, Tunumiit, and Inughuit continuing to share language, stories, and way of life.

8. Walruses are social — and surprisingly political.
These giant tusked creatures may look like sleepy blobs on an ice floe, but their society is complex. The walrus’ scientific name, Odobenus rosmarus, means “tooth-walking sea horse” (yes, really). Their social rank depends on tusk length, body size, and attitude. Lose a tusk in a scuffle? You could drop down the social ladder. It’s a tough world out there, even for walruses.

9. You won’t find penguins in the Arctic.
Contrary to popular belief, penguins are not polar opposites of polar bears. They only live in the Southern Hemisphere — you’ll spot them in Antarctica, the Galápagos, and parts of southern Africa and South America, but never in the Arctic. Instead, the North Pole is ruled by seabirds, puffins, auks, and guillemots — all adapted to life on the edge of the ice.

10. Kayaking? Thank the Arctic.
Greenland’s Inuit peoples invented the kayak — or qajak — thousands of years ago. These sleek, seal-skin-covered vessels were originally used for hunting in narrow fjords and icy seas. Today, you can paddle a modern kayak through the same glacial landscapes, navigating calm bays beside icebergs, walruses, and maybe even whales — a once-in-a-lifetime way to connect with the Arctic’s rich traditions.

Ready to experience the Arctic for yourself?
At Glacial Expeditions, we love helping travelers explore the polar regions. Whether it’s your first time seeing a glacier up close or your fifth time chasing the Midnight Sun, every Arctic adventure brings something new — and unforgettable.

Explore our upcoming Arctic journeys and let us help you discover the magic of the top of the world.