Economic Development

Modern development has occurred mainly along the northern coast of Russia. Here, a sea route connects Murmansk (the Arctic's largest city) in the west with small coastal ports in Siberia. The route is kept open for shipping during much of the year, allowing the utilization of resources from the subarctic interior.

Throughout the Arctic, agriculture is either impracticable or impossible. Although of limited extent, fishing and mining are chief economic activities. The Arctic seas are among the world's richest fishing grounds, and some commercial fleets fish these northern waters. Principal fish taken are halibut and cod. Rich shrimp beds are worked on the west coast of Greenland.

Greenland produces lead and zinc. Coal is mined in Svalbard, iron ore at Kiruna in Sweden. Northern Siberia contains numerous mineral resources. In 1968 the largest known oil deposits in North America were discovered near Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope of Alaska.

The airplane has greatly improved transportation in the Arctic, and many previously inaccessible places can now be reached in a few hours by plane.