North Pole FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Yes! The North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth. It is found in the Arctic Ocean, on constantly shifting pieces of sea ice.

The north pole is located in the arctic ocean, on constantly shifting pieces of sea ice.

The north pole is not located in any country, although countries have tried to claim it as their own. Russia, Canada, and Denmark have all expressed an interest in claiming the area around the pole as an extension of their continental shelves.

The geographic North Pole is the northern point of the Earth's axis of rotation. The North Pole is found in the Arctic Ocean, on constantly shifting pieces of sea ice.

The north pole does not exist in any traditional time zone. The rotation of the Earth means that time zones are dictated by the lines of longitude connecting the north and south poles. But at the poles themselves, all these lines converge, meaning that technically the poles are in all the time zones simultaneously.

In practice, polar explorers and scientists simply choose whatever time zone is most convenient. Those working out of Antarctica, for example, choose to use New Zealand local time.

No there are no penguins in the north pole, or any part of the arctic. Penguins live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.

The animals you can find in the north pole include muskox, arctic hare, arctic fox, and reindeer. Polar bears are common in coastal areas. There are a variety of birds and seabirds. Marine mammals include walrus, seal, and a variety of whales. And if you’re lucky you might see a snowy owl or narwhal!

The only permanent residents of the north pole are Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves.

The North Pole sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, on water that is almost always covered with ice. The ice is about 6-10 feet thick. So, the north pole looks like a winter wonderland every day of the year!

During the winter, the North Pole's average temperature is -40º Fahrenheit. In the summer, it is 32º Fahrenheit.

Yes! The north pole is home to Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, their team of reindeer, and the many elves who work for them.