Overlapping sovereignty claims in the Arctic have resulted in increased military presences there.
The sea ice area for the Arctic shows near-record minimums since 2002
Bathymetric (underwater depth) map of the Arctic Ocean, showing the Lomonosov, Gakkel and Alpha ridges
The Northern Sea Route (blue) as compared to a southern route (red), showing the tremendous savings in travel distance
International rights and claimable sovereignty in sea areas according to the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Treaty
The decline of Arctic sea ice over the summer months from 2002-05 as compared to 1979-2000
Arctic sea ice by volume over time
Source: Polar Science Center, University of Washington
Potential oil (orange) and gas (green) resources in the Arctic
The claimable Arctic Ocean territory for each of the A-5 countries according to UNCLOS, before additional continental shelf claims.
Melting sea ice means access to ocean-floor resources and improved shipping routes, causing a "race for the Arctic."
The Great Northern Expedition of the 1730s and 1740s followed the Arctic coastline and proved the existence of a Northeast Passage.
Decreasing extent of summer sea ice in the Arctic
