Editing Arctic Ocean (section)

== Surrounding regions ==
The North American coast includes northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland. Much of this coastline consists of tundra and ice-covered shores. The Canadian Arctic Archipelago divides the ocean into narrow channels and island seas, while settlements are concentrated along protected coastal areas.

On the European side, northern Norway and [[Svalbard]] face waters influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The relative warmth of the Norwegian and Barents seas allows more regular navigation than in the central Arctic. These waters support fishing and provide access to ports, research stations and northern shipping routes.

The Russian coast forms the longest continental boundary of the Arctic Ocean. Large rivers discharge freshwater into the shallow seas along this coast. The [[Northern Sea Route]] follows these waters between the Bering Strait and the Atlantic approaches of northern Europe.