Interest and awareness about the Arctic and its global importance, economically, environmentally and strategically, is fast rising. The Arctic is estimated to hold as much as 30% of the world's unused resources. Utilization of these resources, strengthening and development of infrastructure, year-round trans-arctic shipping and rapidly increasing tourism requires enormous financial investments, bringing opportunities while posing threats. Environmental awareness is increasing not least due to climate change.

There is a rapidly growing need for access to data and relevant data services, interpreting of data and knowledge based consulting for responsible policy- and decision making.

• Data and Consulting Services and Systems (data collection, processing and storage, statistics, and online data visualization)
• Mapping, Data Systems, Data Management and Analysis (data collection, format conversion, statistical processing, and plotting changes over time and across locations; outputs include statistics, analysis and policy reports, interactive online maps with selectable layers and comparison tools, animations, and tailor-made data packages. ArcData’s web-based GIS system, ADMS, connects and shares map layers through web services and its own GeoServer)
• Consulting Services (expertise covering Arctic statistics; environment and ecosystems, including weather, tides and sea ice; Indigenous peoples; resources and energy, including renewables; infrastructure, including airports and harbours; business and policies; science, observations and projects; knowledge and culture; education; and science communication)
• Virtual Education Systems and Tools (STEM education through Arctic research as a consortium member of Edu-Arctic, plus experience in distance learning and online courses with Edu-Arctic, UArctic, APECS, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry and others)

Introduction to Arctic Portal IT services

Arctic Maps

Arctic Portal specializes in creating customized graphical maps that cover a range of significant Arctic topics with global recognition. These subjects include Arctic Definition, Arctic Sea Ice, Shipping, Governance & Arctic Organizations, Arctic flora, Arctic fauna, and Infrastructure.

We consistently update and add new maps to our website, with recent additions encompassing infrastructure layouts, polar bear population distribution, various whale species distributions, walrus habitats, and Arctic shipping routes featuring projections for Northpolar-Canada and Northpolar-Russia.

All the data employed in crafting our maps are sourced either from our partners (see Arctic Portal Community) or from the most reliable and reputable databases currently available. Our commitment to transparency ensures that sources are consistently cited.

A wide selection of our maps is available for viewing, subject to our specified conditions, and can also be purchased for direct download and can then be used for open publication on the condition that the source Arctic Portal is cited.

If you are looking for a map tailored to your specific requirements, we invite you to submit a request to , detailing your preferences and needs. Our team is dedicated to assisting you in creating a map that aligns perfectly with your specifications, and we will provide cost information accordingly.

To view the available maps please click the following link - Maps Gallery.

Web hosting

The Arctic Portal hosts various websites for Arctic-related organizations and affiliations. The websites are around 40 and the list is constantly growing.
If you want your website to be hosted by Arctic Portal or if you require any further information, please contact info@arcticportal

Web design & development

Arctic Portal designs, develops and hosts bespoke websites tailored to each client’s needs.
We also provide ongoing website management and support. Our IT experts offer practical guidance and training to help you manage and update your website independently..
For further information, please contact

News & information from and about the Arctic

Arctic Portal brings together news, educational resources, research publications and information on Arctic governance and cooperation. Through original content and links to relevant organisations and resources, the website helps readers explore the region and follow developments affecting its people, environment and future.

• News and Highlights: Follow the latest Arctic news, research developments and stories, alongside selected updates from the wider polar regions. Our Highlights feature projects, interviews and resources of particular interest. Earlier articles remain available through the news archive, and updates are also shared through our social media channels.

• Announcements and Events: Find announcements, press releases, calls for participation and opportunities shared by organisations, research institutions and other Arctic stakeholders. The events calendar provides information on upcoming conferences, meetings and other Arctic-related activities. To submit an announcement for consideration, please contact . Arctic Portal reserves the right to decline material that is irrelevant, inappropriate or offensive.

• Arctic Knowledge and Quick Facts: Explore accessible information on Arctic geography, history, wildlife, communities, cultures, environment and science, as well as the region’s economy and resources. These sections provide introductions to key topics, supported by maps, images and links to further information.

• Governance & Law: Learn about the institutions, organisations and legal frameworks shaping the Arctic. This section covers the Arctic Council, international cooperation, Indigenous Peoples’ participation, international agreements and the law of the sea. The Arctic Policies Database brings together selected policies and strategies from Arctic states, non-Arctic countries, Indigenous Peoples’ organisations and the European Union, with links to original documents and earlier policies for historical reference.

• Library: The Arctic Portal Library provides access to scientific and educational material, including books, articles, reports, conference papers and project publications. Its collections support research and learning across a broad range of Arctic topics and include policy documents, international agreements and other materials relevant to Arctic governance and cooperation.

Events Calendar

All conferences, workshops, summits, meetings and any other relevant events for the Arctic and the Antarctic, can be found on Arctic Portal Calendar.

If you want to submit information regarding an event not yet visible in our calendar, please contact:

RoPON - Registry of Polar Observing Networks

Full-Stack Development · Research Data Systems · APIs · Metadata & Interoperability

The Registry of Polar Observing Networks (RoPON) is a catalog of systems and related organizations that coordinate or track observing activities & infrastructure across the Arctic, Antarctic, and Southern Oceans. It brings previously dispersed information together so users can discover observing networks, understand their geographical and observational scope, identify related organizations and find associated data resources. It was created through collaboration between the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks initiative (SAON), the University of Colorado Boulder and Arctic Portal, with support from NOAA GOMO.

Arctic Portal's work

Arctic Portal provides the core software-development expertise behind RoPON, covering system architecture, backend development, relational database design, API development, frontend implementation and UI/UX.

The platform includes search and filtering, role-based access and a dashboard through which authorized network representatives can maintain their information.

Arctic Portal also provides containerized application deployment, hosting and infrastructure management, with GitHub-based development and deployment workflows.

The project demonstrates Arctic Portal's ability to turn complex and heterogeneous scientific metadata into a structured, interoperable and user-friendly digital service.

Arctic Portal also designed the logo and the website interface.

Expertise demonstrated: full-stack development, system architecture, relational databases, REST/API services, metadata modelling, interoperability, UI/UX, authentication and role-based systems, Docker, CI/CD, hosting and infrastructure management.

Supporting Coordination and Practical Use

RoPON serves a broad range of users:

Explore RoPON

POSH - Polar Observing Site Hub

Data Aggregation · Automated Data Pipelines · Geospatial Interfaces · Data Harmonization

The Polar Observing Site Hub (POSH) is a discovery portal that compiles details from multiple observing inventories for over 50,000 research and monitoring sites, such as: stations, facilities, plots, moorings, observatories, platforms, community-based observations.

Arctic Portal's work

Arctic Portal designed and developed the technical architecture for collecting, harmonizing and presenting site information originating from different systems. This included development of the harvesting pipeline, mapping heterogeneous source metadata to a common structure, automation of source harvesting, and frontend development. The resulting map-based interface enables users to explore, search and filter observing sites through a single digital service while retaining links to the authoritative source catalogues. Arctic Portal also provides hosting and operational support for the platform.

Expertise demonstrated: automated data harvesting, ETL/data pipelines, metadata harmonization, multi-source data integration, geospatial applications, interactive mapping, frontend development, Docker-based deployment, GitHub workflows, hosting and infrastructure management.

Arctic Portal also designed the logo and the website interface.

Explore POSH

Data Platforms · Interactive Visualization · Cloud Infrastructure · Scientific Communication

The Arctic Risk Platform transforms complex climate and socio-economic data into accessible, interactive stories that demonstrate how changes in the Arctic can create wider risks for climate, economies and societies. The platform combines satellite observations, climate models, socio-economic indicators, and other data sources through interactive maps, charts and data-driven narratives. It has been showcased at major international forums, including COP26 and the World Economic Forum.

Arctic Portal's work

Arctic Portal developed the platform's frontend and interactive data visualizations and helped integrate the user experience with the underlying data-processing and content-management systems. The technical architecture was designed for continuously updated data and scalable delivery, using containerized services, Docker, Kubernetes and Microsoft Azure. Automated data-processing pipelines and CI/CD practices support efficient development and deployment.

Expertise demonstrated: interactive data visualization, scientific data integration, frontend development, cloud-native architecture, Kubernetes and Docker, CI/CD, scalable infrastructure and data-driven storytelling.

Digital Heritage Platform for Indigenous Arctic Knowledge

Arctic Life Stories, Arctic Maritime Knowledge, and Women in the Arctic are digital storytelling and knowledge-sharing platforms that bring Arctic voices, experiences, and expertise to a global audience. Through rich multimedia content, personal narratives, educational resources, and curated knowledge collections, these projects make Arctic culture, history, maritime practices, and community perspectives more accessible and engaging. By connecting researchers, educators, policymakers, local communities, and the general public, the platforms promote knowledge exchange, foster understanding of Arctic realities, and highlight diverse experiences and contributions from across the region.

Arctic Portal's work

Arctic Portal developed a tailored digital platform capable of managing diverse narrative content, historical materials, and associated metadata through a flexible and extensible backend architecture. The platform includes role-based access control, custom content types, and administrative dashboards that allow contributors and researchers to manage content efficiently. It provides API services, and interactive mapping capabilities that allow project-specific data to be presented in an engaging and accessible way. Arctic Portal is also responsible for frontend development, deployment automation, hosting, and ongoing infrastructure management using containerized technologies and GitHub-based workflows.

Arctic Portal also created the project’s visual identity and designed all materials introducing and promoting the project. This work included the logo, website interface, and print and digital communication materials, establishing a consistent visual style across the platform and its outreach activities. The design brings together the project’s cultural and historical focus with a clear, accessible presentation for diverse audiences.

Expertise demonstrated: Full-stack development, custom content management systems, system architecture, relational databases, REST/API services, UI/UX design, role-based access control, interactive maps, Docker, CI/CD, hosting and infrastructure management, visual identity, logo design, graphic design, print and digital communication materials.