The United States Has No Arctic Territory

The U.S. has zero land or maritime territory in the Arctic. The Arctic Circle (66°34′ N) cuts through Alaska, but the Arctic region—defined by the Arctic Ocean and its marginal seas—lies entirely north of Alaska's coast.

What the U.S. Does Have

• Alaska: Only state crossing the Arctic Circle (Utqiaġvik/Barrow at 71° N).
• Arctic Policy: 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region; 2022 update. Chair of Arctic Council (rotating).
• Research: NSF Toolik Field Station, NOAA Barrow Observatory.
• Resources: Prudhoe Bay oil (North Slope, sub-Arctic), potential seabed claims via extended continental shelf (UNCLOS Art. 76).

Why the Confusion?

"Arctic" is often used loosely for "Far North Alaska." But legally and geographically, the U.S. is an Arctic nation by virtue of Alaska, not an owner of Arctic Ocean territory.

Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Norway, Russia have Arctic Ocean coastlines and EEZs. The U.S. does not—yet.