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TOP 5 FACTS THE ARCTIC

TOP 5 FACTS THE ARCTIC and ANTARCTICA A journey into the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica is the ultimate adventure. Here are some fascinating facts celebrating the wonder of life in these pristine environments 1 YOU CAN IDENTIFY WHALES BY THEIR SPOUT SPRAY Whale watching is one of the great thrills of a journey to Antarctica. Orcas and blue, humpback, sperm and minke whales are some of the ones to look out for. When a whale breaches the ocean’s surface for air, it exhales through its blowhole and creates a spout. You can identify the type of whale by the size and shape of the spray. 2 HOW POLAR BEARS KEEP WARM Polar bears are actually black, not white. Their jet-black skin is covered by translucent hair that reflects white natural light. The bears depend on their fur for insulation during the harsh winter months. Dirty, wet and matted fur is less likely to keep the animals warm, so they roll in the snow to keep it clean. 112 VIKING.COM EXPLORE MORE

3 CULTURE & SCIENCE THE UNICORNS OF THE SEA Narwhals are affectionately known as the “unicorns of the sea,” as they can be identified by the long tusks protruding from their foreheads. The ivory tusk can grow to more than nine feet in length and is actually a canine tooth, which the narwhal uses to strike and stun its prey. Narwhals can live for up to 90 years. 4 THE ARCTIC IS HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST SEED STORAGE FACILITY More than 800 miles inside the Arctic Circle lies the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a storage facility run by the Norwegian government. Built into the permafrost, the building holds seeds for more than 4,000 plant species, including important food crops. 5THE COLDEST, DRIEST AND WINDIEST CONTINENT HOLDS MOST OF THE WORLD’S FRESHWATER With winds of up to 200 mph, the continent holds the record as the windiest place on Earth, and the coldest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica was -144.4°F (-98°C). Around 70% of the world’s freshwater is held in the enormous ice sheet. Despite all that water, Antarctica is a desert, and the average annual rainfall at the South Pole is less than half a foot. EXPLORE MORE VIKING.COM 113