The Northernmost Point on Earth: The Geographic North Pole

What Is the Most Northern Part of the World?

The geographic North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth’s surface. It lies in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, roughly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 miles) from the magnetic north pole.

Key Facts

• Location: 90° North latitude, in the Arctic Ocean.
• Environment: Covered by shifting sea ice year‑round; no permanent landmass.
• Distinction: Not to be confused with the magnetic north pole, which moves over time due to changes in Earth’s magnetic field.

Because the North Pole sits on floating ice, there is no fixed territory or country that owns it. It is governed by international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.