![Bathymetric (underwater depth) map of the Arctic Ocean, showing the Lomonosov, Gakkel and Alpha ridges](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/4-11-map1703_0.jpg?itok=nxvpZ_mq)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/4-11-map1708_0.png?itok=1n92eNSF)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/4-11-map1710_0.png?itok=ljlJXHcO)
International rights and claimable sovereignty in sea areas according to the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Treaty
![The claimable Arctic Ocean territory for each of the A-5 countries according to UNCLOS, before additional continental shelf claims.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/4-11-map1717_0.png?itok=nXNOBY0i)
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." Melting sea ice means access to ocean-floor resources and improved shipping routes, causing a "race for the Arctic."](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/4-11-map1719_0.png?itok=qGpQMHFv)
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.](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/5-11-map1720_0.jpg?itok=txqwlJe5)
The Great Northern Expedition of the 1730s and 1740s followed the Arctic coastline and proved the existence of a Northeast Passage.