The region north of the 70th parallel in the Northern Hemisphere is defined by its high-latitude position near the North Pole. This area includes the Arctic Ocean and the northernmost edges of three continents. The climate is overwhelmingly dominated by year-round cold, which has shaped the geology, ecology, and human history of the far north. The planet’s tilt creates dramatic seasonal shifts, driven by solar geometry.
Geographical Significance of the 70th Parallel
The 70th parallel north is a circle of latitude approximately 2,224 kilometers from the geographic North Pole. This line is firmly within the Arctic, lying about 370 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle (66.5°N). This high-latitude location means the angle of solar incidence is always extremely low, preventing the surface from receiving significant warming energy.
The distance from the pole directly influences the intensity of the seasons, leading to the astronomical phenomena of polar day and polar night. In summer, the sun remains above the horizon for an extended period, providing continuous daylight, known as the midnight sun. Conversely, during the winter, the sun remains below the horizon for weeks, plunging the region into a sustained period of darkness or deep twilight. These extreme variations in solar energy are the primary drivers of the severe climate found in this zone.
The Dominant Polar Climate Type
The most common climate type above the 70th parallel is the Polar Climate, specifically categorized in the Köppen classification system as the Tundra Climate (ET) and the Ice Cap Climate (EF). The defining characteristic of the Tundra Climate (ET) is that the average temperature of the warmest month is consistently above 0°C (32°F) but never exceeds 10°C (50°F). This severely limits vegetation growth, supporting only low-lying shrubs, grasses, and mosses.
In areas further north or at higher elevations, the Ice Cap Climate (EF) prevails. Here, the average temperature remains below 0°C (32°F) throughout all twelve months of the year, characteristic of permanent ice sheets like those found across the interior of Greenland. Precipitation across the entire region is remarkably low, often classifying the area as a polar desert, as the frigid air holds minimal moisture.
A significant geological feature tied to this climate is permafrost, which is ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. Permafrost underlies much of the landmass above the 70th parallel, trapping vast amounts of carbon and shaping the landscape. The short or non-existent summer thaw means the annual temperature range is massive, with winter lows regularly dropping below -30°C (-22°F).
Countries with Territory Above 70°N Latitude
Several nations possess land or island territories that extend north of the 70th parallel, making them Arctic states.
Russia
The Russian Federation holds the largest continuous landmass at this latitude, including the extensive Siberian coastline and numerous Arctic islands. Specific Russian territories in this zone include the northern parts of the Yamalo-Nenets and Taymyr peninsulas, as well as the archipelagos of Novaya Zemlya and Severnaya Zemlya.
North America
The North American continent reaches past this parallel through Canada and the United States. Canada’s High Arctic islands, part of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, contain vast stretches of land above 70°N, including Baffin and Ellesmere Islands. The United States’ territory of Alaska extends north of this line along its North Slope, with Point Barrow marking the country’s northernmost extreme.
Nordic Countries and Greenland
Norway has significant territory extending north of the 70th parallel, including its mainland coast near Tromsø and the Svalbard archipelago. Finland’s northernmost point in Lapland also crosses the 70th parallel. Greenland, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark, is almost entirely situated above this latitude, dominated by its massive ice sheet.