A comprehensive compilation of websites devoted to the Arctic, for example, bodies throughout the world that study the polar Arctic regions, their programmes and projects; sites dedicated to studying the people of the Far North, databases about the Arctic / Here are a number of reference sites (in English):

• Arctic Institute of North America at the University of Calgary
• Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado (Boulder)
• The National Institite of Polar Research in Japan
• The Norsk Polarinstitutt (Norwegian Polar Institute)
• The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC)
• The Arctic Centre in Finland
• The Canadian Circumpolar Institute at the University of Alberta
• The Center for Northern Studies in Wolcott, Vermont
• The Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, U.K.
• The Tundra Ecosystem Analysis and Mapping Laboratory which is working on Circumpolar classification and mapping
• The Institute for Advanced Field Education which focuses its studies in the Canadian Arctic. This site has some useful links to other Arctic and Biology related pages
• The The Arctic Studies Center, a department of the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution
• The Arctic Forum
• The Stefansson Arctic Institute in Iceland
• The Danish Polar Center
• The University of Copenhagen Dept of Eskimology

Produced as part of the programme of digital collections by Rescol of Industry Canada, this website provides a dynamic presentation of information about numerous topics relating to the Canadian Arctic. Up-to-date information, photographs and links to other sites can be accessed for additional research.Although the site sometimes fails to display items, it is of exceptional quality and clarity in what it presents and the way the site is designed.

• Some great-looking pages about the exploration of the North-West Passage
• Interesting links to other sites published in French and English
• Some beautiful pages about the animals that live in the Arctic
• Also a number of pages about the delicate nature of the Arctic ecosystem, in particular with maps showing the areas where the animals are located and a breakdown of species per season (very interesting)

A page from the monthly publication Le Monde Diplomatic (The Diplomatic World), produced by Philippe Rekacewicz in July 2000. It displays an informative map about those places in the Arctic Ocean where nuclear waste is discharged or buried, where non-military nuclear explosions take place and where particularly dangerous nuclear power stations are located.

The Canadian office of the UICN has a mandate to monitor any activities in the Arctic that are of interest, or which are of concern for the environment.

The website is constantly updated. In particular it covers the topics of programmes and activities related to the Arctic.

The geopolitical section of the website, published by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - the northern part of its foreign policy.

The world around the pole, made up of the eight countries surrounding the North Pole, has become an important player on the international scene and adds a northern dimension to activities and discussions on a worldwide scale. The Arctic countries are working together to resolve their joint problems and to create outlets for the North. By sharing their knowledge and weaving tight links with its northern neighbours, Canada plays a leading role within this partnership.

The idea culminating in Arctic Circle originated during a symposium on 'The Use of the World Wide Web in Education,' sponsored by the Faculty Resource Laboratory at the University of Connecticut in February of 1995. Following a presentation by Thomas Plunkett and Jonathan Lizee, co-developers of ArchNet, the WWW Virtual Library for Archaeology, they were joined by Norman Chance, an arctic anthropologist, interested in finding ways to expand knowledge of the Circumpolar North to a wider audience of students, educators, policy makers, environmental planners, and others. Together, we came up with the concept of an 'electronic' Arctic Circle. After a month of planning, we sought the support of the Director of the University of Connecticut's Homer Babbidge Library. Shortly thereafter, Arctic Circle settled into its new home on the "Spirit of Uconn' library server.
What We Are About
The overall goal of Arctic Circle is to stimulate among viewers a greater interest in the peoples and environment of the Arctic and Subarctic region. As stated on the Welcome page, this 'electronic circle' has three interrelated themes: natural resources; history and culture; social equity and environmental justice. In addressing these issues, the presentations utilize a range of textual and photographic materials, and in the near future, sound and short video recordings. Specific topics include discussions of Sustainability, Equity, and Environmental Protection; Northern Development and the Global Economy; Ethnographic Portraits of indigenous peoples in Alaska, Canada, Northwest Siberia, etc.; and specific studies dealing with the impact of petroleum, gas, hydroelectric, and other forms of large scale natural resource development in selected regions of the Circumpolar North. New material is being added on a regular basis.
Also, with the assistance of Native northerners and other contributors, we are writing up a series of case studies comparing the social, and cultural impact of natural resource and other forms of development in regions with substantial indigenous populations. This year, these initial case studies - including additional material drawn from the Web - are being utilized in our virtual classroom, designed for high school, college, and university students wishing to learn more about the North, its peoples, and environment. Several educational institutions in the United States and Canada