Arctic Countries
Arctic States and Governance
These eight countries are also known as the Arctic states. To learn about their roles in Arctic governance, national jurisdiction, and international cooperation, visit our Arctic States overview.
Peoples and Communities
The Arctic countries are home to diverse communities whose histories, languages, and ways of life shape the region. Indigenous homelands often extend across national borders, connecting communities through shared cultures, family ties, and knowledge. The country profiles introduce these peoples and communities within their geographical context, while recognising their wider circumpolar connections.
Learn more about Indigenous representation, rights, and participation in our Indigenous Peoples and Governance section.
History and Governance
From Cold War frontier to international cooperation
For much of the 20th century, the Arctic was heavily by geopolitical tensions between East and West, strategically important for military operations and nuclear deterrence. The path toward the cooperation we know today runs through a few precice milestones.
Today
The Arctic and the Global Community
The Arctic is increasingly connected to the rest of the world. Climate change is transforming the region faster than almost anywhere else on Earth, affecting sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, ecosystems, and local communities.
At the same time, the Arctic's natural resources, fisheries, renewable energy potential, and emerging shipping routes have increased international interest in the region. Countries from Europe, Asia, and beyond are expanding their scientific, economic, and political engagement in Arctic affairs. As global attention on the Arctic continues to grow, international cooperation, scientific research, Indigenous participation, and sustainable development remain critical to the future of the region.
Source: Arctic Human Development Report (Chapter 12)