areas, as Lapland, where reindeer herding is carried on. The 

 Soviet Arctic is in contrast to the North American Arctic in the 

 matter of farming and industry. Although most of the Hudson 

 Bay Company posts and the missions have small garden plots of 

 potatoes, radishes, carrots, and beets, some Soviet polar stations 

 and industrial towns have extensive farms, reportedly able to feed 

 their whole northern population. 



As for industry, there is little comparison between the extensive 

 development in the Soviet Arctic and the meager development in 

 the Western Hemisphere. The mines at Great Slave Lake and 

 Great Bear Lake are about the only industry of any scale in north- 

 ern Canada, aside from the fishing, fur, and wood industries. 



Despite the much talked about lure of the North not many people 

 from temperate regions have found the Arctic an inviting place to 

 live. The non-native population is mainly transitory, coming only 

 to make a quick fortune, as in North American Arctic, or coming 

 in response to Government orders and the "incentive bonuses" as 

 in the Soviet Arctic. The severe climate requires that too much 

 of an individual's time be devoted to keeping warm, dry, and 

 nourished to allow for many economically remunerative activities. 

 Attempts to transplant temperate zone habits and customs to the 

 Arctic mean heavy expenditures for imported foods, implements, 

 clothing, and equipment. 



Whether or not the Arctic will one day be dotted with industrial 

 developments seems to depend on more than mere exploration to 

 discover the mineral wealth. Much must be done to conquer the 

 environment and the isolation. However, the Arctic is still a most 

 interesting place, offering endless opportunities for basic scientific 

 research and experimentation. Its importance in world strategy 

 and the scheme of twentieth century progress is growing. 



TABLE I 



Distance: Arctic Air- vs. Normal Routes (Statute Miles) 



NORMAL ROUTE 



31 



