"White and Green Lands" Arctic by dave_21

Arctic Travel Guide: 310 reviews and 460 photos

The Scandinavian Arctic Regions - Arctic

Endless Light and Darkness

The definition where arctic lies is a hard question. My own opinon is not that everything above the arctic circle is the Arctic. You will have to look on each fauna to decide whether it is or not.
For example, sub-arctic plants and animals is arctic, but does pines and spruces grow in the arctic? In my opinon yes but only a thin line.

The Arctic Faunas and Plants can be found in these countries:
Russia (Has most of it)
Canada
Greenland
USA (Alaska)
Iceland
Norway
Sweden
Finland

The Real arctic has low precipitation whole year, no temps above 10 Celcius.

I've only seen a very small part of the Arctic, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The vegetation is mostly some small birch trees or complete Tundra.
Many people mix up Tundra and Alpine Tundra. Tundra is often a quite flat landscape and only exist in the far north. Alpine Tundra exist in the European Alps or the Rockies. The small numbers of plants is controlled by the altitude and the large amount of snow. Has really not much incommon with the arctic tundra.

The word tundra is derived from the Lappish language and means "land of no trees".

My Arctic journeys

North Norway and Sweden has a small but beautiful part of Arctic. Lots of rivers, tundra and beautiful flowers.

I've added tips of the Scandinavian arctic.

</p><div align=justify class="t2"><center><img src="http://p.vtourist.com/1035560.jpg"alt=' Arctic Tundra 'width=400 height=300></a>

</p><div align=justify class="t2"><center><img src="http://p.vtourist.com/1325777.jpg"alt=' Northern Lights 'width=400 height=300></a>

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great Nature, Great Land
Cons:Quite isolated from the rest of the world, bad communications
In a nutshell:Endless Light and Darkness, home of Polar Bears - Not Penguins...

Intro Updated Feb 15, 2004
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Reviews (10)

Arctic Flora Favorites (10)

I really love the flora up here, the number of different plant species are thousands. And all of them are suited for the... more travel advice

Arctic Animals Favorites (10)

The animals who lives in the arctic are perfectly suited for extreme enviroments. Some of the great arctic animals... more travel advice

NP's in the Arctic Regions Favorites (10)

National Parks are just great, but it's a pity sometimes that they are needed for protections from humans. Scandinavia... more travel advice

Transport Favorites (10)

If you don't own a helicopter snowmobile is the best alternative. Many people use it although it's just like a car -... more travel advice

Comments (15)

illumina Apr 4, 2006 at 4:09 AM Report Abuse

Really nice page, and great pictures. Thanks!
flying_dolphin7 Mar 18, 2006 at 7:45 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for sharing about the Arctic page, interesting info and nice photos:)
OONylander Jan 16, 2006 at 3:43 PM Report Abuse

thanks for the pics. this is another way for me to learn about my swedish heritage.
klya Oct 10, 2005 at 8:02 PM Report Abuse

Hi Dave, Thanks for such amazing photos!
anaglenny Aug 5, 2005 at 8:12 AM Report Abuse

Awesome pictures!!!!
FletteMette Mar 11, 2005 at 7:24 AM Report Abuse

Stunning pics...! I have done a fair bit of Aurora-watching after moving to Tromsø from southern Norway - but never seen anything quite as spectacular as in your pic..:o)
ettenaj Feb 19, 2005 at 11:02 AM Report Abuse

I would love to see the Northern Lights, thanks for sharing your great photos and tips
tvdm Feb 16, 2005 at 12:46 PM Report Abuse

Hey Dave! Spectacular pics on this page - as with all your Nordic items! Next time I'm going North I'll deffo be in touch! Got more info about Iceland as well?
percy961 Nov 12, 2004 at 1:02 AM Report Abuse

Superb photo's and informative tips.
polardabar Aug 27, 2004 at 7:07 AM Report Abuse

ooh, now i get it - thanx! great photos you've got there. can't wait! :) vi hörs, polar*