The Arctic Circle passes through three continents: Asia, Europe and North America. This includes eight countries: Russia, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the United States (Alaska), Denmark (Greenland) and Iceland.
The Arctic Circle is defined as the area above 66 degrees 32 minutes north latitude. Within the Arctic Circle lies the North Pole at 90 degrees north latitude. The interior of the Arctic Circle has severe weather, with temperatures reaching as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. Most snowfall occurs closer to the coast. The Arctic Circle can have several days of 24 hours of darkness in the winter and 24 hours of daylight in the summer. Despite its harsh climate, some people do live within the Arctic Circle.
