Vacation in the Tundra!

What are interesting things about the tundra?

Tundra Climate

The tundra is a very cold place with the average temperature being around sixteen degrees fahrenheit. The precipitation range is usually about eighteen inches per year with the majority of it being snow. The summer is the best time to go considering the abnormal things that happen. The sun stays up nearly twenty four hours a day which has given this region the nickname "Land of the Midnight Sun." The temperature also increases with the high being around 45 degrees fahrenheit. This land makes for a beautiful winter getaway!

Where is the Tundra Located?

The tundra is located on the very most northern and southern regions of the world where it is cold and snows as the main form of precipitation. These are places like Greenland, Antarctica, Canada, Alaska, Russia, and so on.

Cities of the Tundra You Should Visit!

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Inuvik, Canada.

Inuvik is known for it's dog sledding, hunting, fishing and many other activities. The aurora lights can also be seen here. You can also tour the area with an air charter to see the beautiful sights and landscape.

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Polyarnyy, Russia.

Polyarnyy is known for it's military history. Here, nuclear submarines are decommissioned, defeuled, and disposed of. In 2008 the city was awarded the award for military glory.

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Nome, Alaska.

Nome is known for it's Eskimo dancing, ivory carving, and local music. During the summer months many travel to go birding here because of the two hundred plus migratory birds that come in.

Activities and Attractions!

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Birding

Birding is the act of observing and studying birds in an area. This is popular in the tundra due to the many different migratory birds that pass over. Birds like snow geese, arctic terns, tundra swans, and snowy owls are some of the many birds that are watched.

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Eskimo Dancing

When traveling to places like Alaska you can check out some of the local culture by watching Eskimo Dancing. These dances come from the aboriginal people that live there and is heavily influenced by the tundra around them.

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Dog Sledding

The most popular dog sled race is held in Anchorage, Alaska and lasts for a grueling one thousand forty nine miles which ends in Nome, Alaska. This race is called the Iditarod. Though many smaller races also take place that are equally fun.

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Qausuittuq National Park

Established September 1st, 2015 this park shows off some of the most beautiful tundra scenery. Located northwest of Bathurst Island, Canada it had became Canada's 37th national park. It was chosen to represent the high arctic natural region.

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Denali

Also known as Mount McKinley, this mountain is the highest in North America. It's top elevation reaches 20,310 feet above sea level. In August, 2015 the name was changed to Denali to honor the Native American name for the mountain.

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Redoubt Volcano

Located at the head of the Chigmit mountains in Alaska the Redoubt Volcano makes an excellent attraction to many. It is safe to visit with the latest reading in August, 2015 having the volcano alert level read normal. This was also the first volcano to ever has it's eruption accurately predicted.

Animals and Plant Life!

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Caribou Moss

Caribou moss grows in arctic and northern regions around the world. It can grow on the ground or rocks and looks like a spongy mass. They grow to be around one to four inches tall and the stems are hollow and branch out many times.

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Tufted Saxifrage

Tufted saxifrage is a small perennial growth that grows in mats across the tundra. The flower stems are straight and can get up to three to fifteen centimeters long. The leaves are rigid and hairy and get to about five to ten millimeters long.

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Pasque Flower

The pasque flower have several stems that rise six to eight inches off the ground. Each stem has one flower that has around five to eight petals on it. Below the flower around the stem the plant is covered in silky hairs. This plant is usually lavender color.

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Arctic Fox

The arctic fox is circumpolar and is located in Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland Scandinavia, Svalbard, and Alaska. Their diets consist of berries and small mammals like voles. They live in dens which are usually on hillsides or riverbanks.

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Rock Ptarmigan

The rock ptarmigan is circumpolar and is located in the Arctic Circle, Russia, Sweden, Canada, Iceland, and Greenland. Rock ptarmigan live in rocky elevated areas or with areas that have bushes. They feed on leaves, flowers, berries, buds, and twigs.

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Musk Ox

The musk ox is located in northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska, Norway, Sweden, and Russia. The musk ox roams in herds throughout the tundra and has a vegetarian diet that consists of lichens, grasses, and shrubs.

What to Take On Your Trip and Dangers of the Tundra

If you do visit the tundra you will need to pack warm clothes, including thermals, and waterproof clothing. It is also advised you invest in good winter boots and thick socks, as well as gloves, earmuffs, and winter hats. If you visited in the winter it would also be wise to bring a face mask to protect yourself from the freezing wind. The dangers of the tundra persist of getting caught in the snow, which could happen while traveling. To avoid this it is wise to visit in the summer and take note of road signs that have warnings on them.