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Polar data information sheets

Polar data information sheets

Compiled by R. K. Headland, Scott Polar Research Institute.

These will be updated as time allows.

Antarctic Territories Definitions, in order of the earliest date, applying to national sovereign claims over territory below 60°S latitude; the region under the ægis of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, which came into force in 1961.
Seas of the Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean, connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Greenland Sea and Norwegian Sea and Pacific Ocean through the Bering Sea. There are 11 environing seas defined, described here.
Antarctic Treaty Signatories Contracting parties to the Antarctic Treaty, which entered into force 23rd June 1961​. ​​​​​​  
Antarctic Treaty  and SCAR parities Members and Adherents of SCAR, a part of the International Council for Science, which was established on 3 February 1958. The Treaty came into force on 23rd June 1961.
De Long Islands Five small isolated Arctic Ocean islands in the East Siberian Sea, part of the Novosibiriskiye
Ostrova ('New Siberian Islands'). They are situated to the north-east of Ostrov Anzhu (main part of the archipelago). The closest is approximately 60 km and farthest 200 km distant.
Eurasian Arctic Archipelagos These Arctic lands include a diverse range of archipelagos and separate islands. Names are given in the forms recommended by the Union Géographique International.
Exotic Mammals in the Antarctic A table of exotic terrestrial mammals in Antarctic regions.
Historic Huts in the Antarctic A table of historic huts in the Antarctic from the heroic age of exploration. Lists existing huts, ruins (roofless), and Sites where huts were deployed but no longer exist.
IGY Antarctic stations (1957 and 1958) A listing, by organiser or nationality, of the Antarctic winter stations operating during the international geophysical year (1957 and 1958 winters).
Non-existent Antarctic Islands Antarctic, and other far southern, islands and rocks that are non-existent, but which have appeared on maritime charts and in pilots at various times, sometimes with indications of doubt.
Ships that have reached the North Pole A table of voyages to the North Pole, from 1977 onwards.
Transits of the Northwest Passage Transits of the Northwest Passage, i.e. Atlantic Ocean ↔ Arctic Ocean ↔ Pacific Ocean. The earliest traverse of the Northwest Passage was completed in 1853 starting in the Pacific Ocean to reach the Atlantic Ocean, but used sledges over the sea ice of the central part of Parry Channel. Since then, hundreds of complete maritime transits of the Northwest Passage have been made.
Historical Precedence to the Poles Antarctic and Arctic lists of explorations, in chronological order, of expeditions which reached positions progressively closer towards the South Pole and North Pole, their attainment (air and surface, and by sea in the Arctic), and the first crossings of the regions. They include claims that are unverified and extremely doubtful though well-publicised.
Polar Treaties and Committees Tables giving a pragmatic indication of current national interests in polar research and other activities through association of states with four international agreements. Two of these are Treaties, inter-governmental legal and political instruments: and the two committees are non-governmental scientific organizations. One of each pertains to the Arctic and the others to the Antarctic. Each agreement has two classes of association, as indicated.
Terrestrial Poles Four corresponding poles may be distinguished in the Arctic and in the Antarctic. The geographic pair are fixed and conjugate by definition; those of inaccessibility are also defined by geography and thus invariable; the geomagnetic poles are mutually antipodean and wander slightly, depending on solar influences; while the magnetic poles are in comparatively rapid movement and may migrate through many kilometres during a brief period.
Spitsbergen Treaty National memberships of the Spitsbergen Treaty, made in Paris, which came into force 14th August 1925.
The Peri-Antarctic Islands The 19 islands and archipelagos around Antarctica which are included in the area of interest of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. The Peri-Antarctic Islands include the Sub-Antarctic ones and those farther south with associated features.
SCAR members National members, with dates of admission, of SCAR.