Subarctic

The subarctic is a vast geographic zone located in the Northern Hemisphere.

It sits immediately south of the true Arctic region. This zone covers large parts of Alaska and Canada. It also includes Iceland and northern Fennoscandia. Much of Northwestern Russia and Siberia falls within these boundaries. Most subarctic areas lie between 50°N and 70°N latitude. This region is important because of its unique climate and rich natural resources. It provides vital minerals and some of the world's most productive fishing grounds.

Weather patterns in the subarctic are shaped by extreme temperature changes. Temperatures stay above freezing for only one to three months each year. The air is very cold and holds very little moisture. Because of this, precipitation is usually low. However, precipitation is often higher during the warmer summer months. In the Russian Far East, summer precipitation can be extreme. In most areas, glaciers are small because there is not enough winter precipitation. In the wettest areas, however, glaciers can be very abundant.

The high latitude also creates extreme daylight cycles. Near the summer solstice, the sun may never dip more than 18 degrees below the horizon. This can result in long periods of civil, nautical, or astronomical twilight. In the northernmost reaches, the region may experience full daylight.

Vegetation in the subarctic is defined by the taiga. The taiga is a forest of mostly coniferous trees. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves, often cannot survive the long winters. In northern Norway, winters are milder, allowing some broadleaf forests to grow. In some areas, the soil stays saturated with water almost all year. This prevents tree growth and creates peaty herblands. These lands are dominated by grasses and sedges.

In areas with lower rainfall, the landscape may be covered by grasslands instead. The soil types are also very specific to this climate. The dominant soil orders are podsols and, further north, gelisols. Even in glaciated regions, nutrients are often leached from the soil.

Many large terrestrial mammals call the subarctic home. These animals must be able to survive the harsh conditions. The most important species include elk and moose (Alces alces). You can also find bears, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), and wolves (Canis lupus). Because many crops cannot grow in this climate, agriculture is difficult. Most farming is limited to animal husbandry. In some specific locations, farmers can grow barley. This makes the region's food production very different from warmer climates.

Building in the subarctic presents massive engineering challenges. Much of the region sits on permafrost. Permafrost is ground that remains frozen for much of the year. This occurs in areas that lack warm ocean currents or good drainage. Building roads and cities on frozen ground is very difficult and expensive. Consequently, cities are generally small. Murmansk is the largest city in the subarctic. Transportation is also limited by the terrain. Most travel relies on "bush" planes, helicopters, or riverboats during the summer.

Subarctic rail lines are rare. They exist in parts of Europe, the Alaska Railroad, and a few lines in Siberia and Canada.

Human history in the subarctic is tied to resource extraction. Most of the region was not explored until the 18th and 19th centuries. Many early settlements were established specifically for mining. Some of these, such as those in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, are now abandoned. In Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway helped people settle the area. Industrialization under Joseph Stalin also boosted settlement to reach minerals in the Central Siberian Plateau. Canada saw development through hydroelectric projects in the 1950s and 1960s. These projects, like Hydro-Quebec, helped supply power to the south.

The economy of the subarctic relies on several key industries. Canada and Siberia are very rich in minerals. These include nickel, molybdenum, cobalt, lead, zinc, and uranium. The Grand Banks and the Sea of Okhotsk are also vital. These two areas are among the richest fisheries in the world. They provide essential support for many small coastal towns. Today, tourism is a growing source of revenue. Travelers are drawn to the beautiful glacial landscapes. However, visiting is often very expensive due to high living costs and difficult transportation. Older industries like fishing and mining now face threats from overfishing and environmental opposition.