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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can locate the Arctic and explain why the region is important.

Key learning points

  1. The Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land.
  2. Around 4 million people live within the Arctic circle.
  3. The Arctic region has many natural resources including oil, uranium, minerals and fish.
  4. Countries around the Arctic circle claim they have rights to some resources.

Keywords

  • Arctic Circle - an imaginary line at latitude 66°33'N, marking the boundary of the Arctic region

  • Indigenous peoples - the original inhabitants of a region

  • Natural resource - materials available in the environment that support our wants and needs

Common misconception

The Arctic region is uninhabited.

Approximately 4 million people live in the Arctic region.

Teacher tip

Use Google Earth to explore the Arctic region. You can also show the Arctic region on different maps.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a glacier?

A frozen ocean
Correct answer: A slow-moving river of ice
A snowy mountain

Q2.
Where are most glaciers found?

The Equator
Deserts
Correct answer: High mountains and polar regions
Rainforests

Q3.
What is permafrost?

A frozen lake
A cold-weather storm
A type of ice
Correct answer: Ground that stays frozen all year

Q4.
Which continent is home to most of the world’s ice?

Asia
Correct answer: Antarctica
Europe
Africa

Q5.
How does melting ice affect sea levels?

Sea levels stay the same
Sea levels drop
Correct answer: Sea levels rise
There is no effect

Q6.
What is the main cause of rising global temperatures?

Volcanoes
Correct answer: Greenhouse gases from human activity
Wind power
Solar flares

4 Questions

Q1.
Which continent is the Arctic mainly located in?

Africa
Asia
Correct answer: North America
South America

Q2.
Which of these countries is part of the Arctic region?

Egypt
Correct answer: Canada
India
Brazil

Q3.
What is the Arctic Circle?

A mountain range
A time zone
Correct answer: A line of latitude near the North Pole
A river

Q4.
Roughly how many people live in the Arctic region?

Fewer than 10 000
Around 500 000
Correct answer: About 4 million

To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: Countries in the Arctic, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...