Map A.01 - Greenland Sea

The Greenland Sea map, incomplete, shows the unfinished east coast of Greenland on the left and Spitsbergen on the right, in the extreme arctic part of the contemporary political entity of Canada, between 72.51°N to 82.34°N. The map's hexes are 20 miles in diameter. The total area is about 366,000 square miles.

This remote and inhospitable region is largely unexplored by European explorers. The harsh Arctic climate, with its icy waters and severe weather conditions, makes navigation and exploration challenging. The Greenland Sea is frozen for a significant portion of the year, limiting access and navigation. Sea ice makes maritime activities difficult and risky, discouraging extensive exploration of the area.

Nonetheless, the region is important for commercial activities such as whaling and the hunting of seals and walruses. European nations, particularly the Dutch and English, seek these valuable resources — though there are tales of ships being wrecked by gigantic behemoths, or of the destruction of temporary settlements on Spitsbergen by frost-covered trolls.

Features

Greenland Sea. A body of water linking the Arctic Ocean with the Atlantic Sea, bordered by Greenland to the west, the Bering Sea to the east, and the Norwegian Sea to the south. The sea is known for its extensive ice cover, particularly during the colder seasons, where ice floes and bergs are prominent features, creating a challenging environment for navigators. Variations in sea ice extent occur depending on climatic conditions, influencing maritime activities and trade routes in the region.

The Greenland sea is home to various marine species, including seals, whales, walruses, narwhal and sea serpents. The climate is harsh, with cold temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns. The underwater topography is largely undiscovered and poorly understood.

Spitsbergen. In the extreme north of the world, comprised of five major islands and numerous smaller ones, the archipelago spans approximately 250 miles from east to west. It's northern edge remains shrouded in mystery, never having been observed. The topography of this archipelago is rugged, characterized by pointed mountain peaks known as "spits bergen," soaring to heights exceeding 5,000 feet. Extensive glaciers cover much of the surface of the larger islands, extending down to the ocean where their ice calves into majestic icebergs. Deep fjords intricately indent the coasts, adding to the dramatic landscape.

During the summer, rivers rush through the archipelago as the snow at elevations up to 1,600 feet melts; however, these waterways are relatively small and of limited significance. The majority of precipitation takes the form of glacier ice, contributing to the vast icy expanses. The vegetation is typical of the tundra, featuring predominantly mosses, with scattered flowering plants and a few dwarf trees. The climate is decidedly arctic, with brisk temperatures even in the summer months.

Discovered by the Norse in 1194 A.D. and later rediscovered in 1596 by the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, these islands have become an annual destination for whalers and sealers. The archipelago supports a diverse range of fauna, including walruses, polar bears, reindeer and foxes. Various bird species, such as the eider duck, ptarmigan, gulls, and the majestic snowy owl, frequent the region. Despite these regular visits, details about the permanent residents on Spitsbergen remain unknown.

Adjacent Maps

A12: High Greenland	A1: Greenland Sea		A2: East Spitsbergen
B18: Iceland		B1: Lofoten

See Sheet Maps