Difference between revisions of "Northwest Passage"
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[[Image:Northwest passage.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Northwest Passage routes]] | [[Image:Northwest passage.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Northwest Passage routes]] | ||
'''The Northwest Passage''' is a sea passage between the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] Oceans by way of the [[Arctic Ocean]] north of [[North America]]. Many [[explorer]]s, like [[John Cabot]] and [[Henry Hudson]], spent most of their lives trying to find the Northwest Passage, without success due to the polar icecap. However, the search for the Northwest Passage led to many great discoveries, such as [[Cortez]]'s discovery of the [[Pacific]], and the [[Lewis and Clark]] expedition (also to the Pacific, but much later). | '''The Northwest Passage''' is a sea passage between the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] Oceans by way of the [[Arctic Ocean]] north of [[North America]]. Many [[explorer]]s, like [[John Cabot]] and [[Henry Hudson]], spent most of their lives trying to find the Northwest Passage, without success due to the polar icecap. However, the search for the Northwest Passage led to many great discoveries, such as [[Cortez]]'s discovery of the [[Pacific]], and the [[Lewis and Clark]] expedition (also to the Pacific, but much later). | ||
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| + | In 2007, the arctic ice cap had melted to the lowest level on record (allegedly due to [[global warming]]). This lead to renewed interest in the passage, should the area be ice-free in the future. Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark (via [[Greenland]]) and the United States have rushed to obtain rights to the arctic route. In August, a Russian submarine planted the Russian flag under the [[North Pole]], making a symbolic claim to the area.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070916/ap_on_sc/northwest_passage Arctic ice melt opens Northwest Passage]</ref> | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Geography]] | [[Category:Geography]] | ||
Revision as of 16:37, September 16, 2007
The Northwest Passage is a sea passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by way of the Arctic Ocean north of North America. Many explorers, like John Cabot and Henry Hudson, spent most of their lives trying to find the Northwest Passage, without success due to the polar icecap. However, the search for the Northwest Passage led to many great discoveries, such as Cortez's discovery of the Pacific, and the Lewis and Clark expedition (also to the Pacific, but much later).
In 2007, the arctic ice cap had melted to the lowest level on record (allegedly due to global warming). This lead to renewed interest in the passage, should the area be ice-free in the future. Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark (via Greenland) and the United States have rushed to obtain rights to the arctic route. In August, a Russian submarine planted the Russian flag under the North Pole, making a symbolic claim to the area.[1]