Subscribe Now! National Geographic Magazine $15
Visit our Online Shops

Sign up for free

Newsletters

Once a month
get new photos
and expert tips.

Tundra Map

Map: Earth's tundras

Data courtesy World Wildlife Fund
 Tundra and Ice Sheets

Arctic and alpine tundra are areas where trees grow sparsely due to short growing season, low precipitation, strong winds, and in the case of alpine tundra, high altitude. Tundra are often found near permanent ice sheets where during summer, the ice and snow recede to expose the ground and allow vegetation to grow.

Related Features

Photo: Large waves characterize the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica

Habitats Quiz

Earth's surface is made up of thousands of different habitats and ecosystems, all with unique characteristics. Can you tell the difference between a desert and a tundra? Know how much of Earth's surface is all wet?

Photo: Antarctica ice aerial view

Video: Antarctica Ice

Glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula are melting away at an alarming rate.

Photo: Tundra in fall colors with the high Sierra surrounded by clouds

Photo Gallery: Tundra Landscapes

Don your parka and delve into the mysterious world of the tundra with this gallery of surprisingly colorful and revealing shots from around the world.

Earth Topics

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Photo: Reflection on Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park

Photo Contest

Share your shots and you could win a trip to the Grand Canyon!

Photo: Puerto Escondido

Interactive Map

Visit Mexico with this interactive map.

Six Degrees Book and DVD

Image: Six Degrees DVD and book

Get an eye-opening warning of the dangers of climate change, one degree at a time.

Support Conservation

Photo: Two penguins

Help conserve the world's natural resources.