Polarpedia has information categorized by main topics. Click on an icon below to view the available terms.
«
»

Northwest passage

Northwest passage is a sea route that connects two oceans: Atlantic and Pacific, through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It’s a sea corridor  along the northern coast of North America. For most of the recorded history, the Passage has been virtually impassable, dangerous or even deadly. But with the modernization of ships and also as a result of climate change, sailing through the Canadian Archipelago from Baffin Bay to the Beaufort Sea has become more common and easier.
The quest for the passage was one of the world’s hardest maritime challenges. The route is located 800 km north of the Arctic Circle, and less than 1,930 km from the North Pole.
In 1845 Sir John Franklin led a British team in an attempt to find the passage. Neither he, nor any of his men, returned.
The Passage would not be successfully navigated until the twentieth century when, in 1903-06, Roald Amundsen, Norwegian explorer, made the full transit by sea in his small ship Gjöa.
Many scientists claim melting ice will ultimately open a commercially viable corridor. Estimates as to when summer ice will fully disappear range from 2031-2100. 
The potential benefits of a clear Northwest Passage are significant, for example, ship routes from Europe to eastern Asia would be 4,000 kilometers shorter.
Photo: A rare German language variant of Cook’s map of his explorations along the northwest coast of America and the northeast coast of Asia (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
«
»
Polarpedia has information categorized by main topics. Click on an icon below to view the available terms.
Polarpedia terms are created by EDU-ARCTIC Consortium, which holds responsibility for quality of translations in following languages: Polish, French, Danish, Norwegian, German, Russian, Italian, unless indicated otherwise. If you see an error - please contact us: edukacja@igf.edu.pl.
European Union flag This project (EDU-ARCTIC) has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 710240. The content of the website is the sole responsibility of the Consortium and it does not represent the opinion of the European Commission, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that might be made of information contained.
Designed & hosted by American Systems Sp. z o.o.