North Atlantic
Polar Explorers
Fridtjof Nansen, neuroscientist, humanitarian, and adventurer is best remembered for his daring 1888 expedition across Greenland. In Progress
Vikings: Discovering Canada
Following accidental discoveries, Norse seafarers gradually pushed westward across the North Atlantic, culminating in Erik the Red’s colonization of Greenland. Erik’s sons and others explored lands described in the sagas as Helluland (likely Baffin Island), Markland (Labrador), and Vinland (possibly Newfoundland or farther south) . Archaeological evidence at L’Anse aux Meadows—dated to 1021 and showing iron nails, slag, and ship repair rather than farming—confirms a short-lived Norse presence in North America . Encounters with Indigenous peoples (called “Skraelings” in the sagas), internal conflicts, harsh climates, and logistical challenges prevented permanent settlement . Ultimately, while the Norse reached North America nearly five centuries before Columbus, their voyages left no lasting demographic or political impact on either Europe or Indigenous North American societies.
Vikings: Greenland Failure
The Norse colony in Greenland lasted several centuries but it is not clear why it failed. Theories have included climate change, competition, environmental damage, and the loss of the ivory trade. Or was it the need to import wood?
Norwegian Fjords and World Wars
Arctic convoys to Russia passed by a neutral Norway in WW1 and an occupied Norway in WW2. In both wars both sides tried to blockade each other. IN WW2 the bulk of the German surface fleet operated from the fjords but were contained by the Royal navy.