The North Pole

The North Pole is the very top of our planet. It sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. The area is covered by floating sea ice all year. It is one of the coldest and most remote places on Earth.

Where Is It?

The North Pole is where all lines of longitude meet. There is no land there, only ice floating on the sea. At the pole, every direction you look is south. The sun stays up for six months, then sets for six months.

An old map of the icy lands around the North Pole.
An old map of the icy lands around the North Pole. (Gerardus Mercator / Wikimedia Commons)

Brave Explorers

People have tried for centuries to reach the North Pole. Robert Peary claimed to reach it in 1909. Others used dog sleds, ships, and even airplanes. Today, scientists visit to study the ice and climate.

Fun Facts

  • Polar bears sometimes wander near the North Pole.
  • There is no time zone at the North Pole.
  • The ice at the pole is always moving and drifting.

Did You Know?

If you stood exactly at the North Pole, you could walk around the world in just a few steps!