Polar Regions
The northern and southern ends of the earth's axis are known as North and South Poles respectively...
by Manpreet

The northern and southern ends of the earth's axis are known as North and South Poles respectively. The layman thinks that they must be similar to each other, but it is not true. Although a lot of information has been obtained about them, these polar regions still remain a great mystery for the scientists.

The land surrounding the North Pole is known as the Arctic Region and that of the South Pole as the Antarctic Region. The North Pole region consists of Arctic Ocean, surrounded by the margins of North America, Europe and Asia. North Pole experiences six months of complete sunlight and six months of total darkness each year. Here the air currents rise from the surrounding waters and raise the temperature a little. The temperature ranges between -35ºC and 10º C. At these temperatures animal and plant life can exist. And so, it is inhabited. People of this area are called Eskimos.

The area of South Pole or antarctic region is very cold and most of it remains covered with snow. This is the coldest region of the earth. The snow covered area is nearly twice as large as that of the United States. In winter, the temperature varies between -75º C and - 40º C. Even during the summer months, the average temperature remains below freezing point. Penguin is the most famous bird of this region. Some insects can also survive here. It also has six months of complete daylight and six months of total darkness each year. This region does not have any native population. The plant life is so scarce that only lichens, mosses, grasses and a few flowering plants can grow.

The scientists from different parts of the world are trying to explore the Antarctic area. Two teams from India have already been to this region. They have discovered several new facts about this place. Some fossils obtained from this region indicate that at one time this land was quite warm and covered with. plants. So far it is not known how such drastic change occurred.