Where the Extremes Meet
Fact: The term "Tundra" derives from the Finnish word "Tunturi," meaning 'treeless plain.'
Fact: Permafrost, frozen ground, is ubiquitous in the Tundra, inhibiting deep-rooted plant growth.
Fact: The Tundra is home to polar bears, Arctic ground squirrels, Arctic foxes, Alaskan marmots, and lemmings.
Fact: The Tundra experiences just two months of summer with 24-hour sunlight, followed by a long, dark winter with only 6 hours of daylight.
Fact: Despite receiving less than 10 inches of rainfall annually, the Tundra boasts over 400 flowering plant species.
Fact: The European Viper is the sole reptile species in the Tundra due to its harsh climate.
Fact: Fish in the Tundra, such as Arctic Char, grayling, and salmon, have evolved to thrive in frigid waters.