To whom does the North Pole and all it's wealth belong to?

Question

I recently read an article here on yahoo over a report made that the North pole could be ice-free. Seeing this, many new riches will open. Russia claims the North Pole is connected to their mainland. The U.S, Canada, and Greenland are also casting in their claims. But who does it really belong to and why can't the U.N resolve it by making it an international zone under no nation's power like antartica.

Answer 1

Odd question, considering the North Pole is under water. There isn't any land. Russia couldn't claim that it is connecting to their mainland anymore than Japan can claim that the middle of the Pacific ocean is connected to their mainland.

Answer 2

North pole is just water, so if it melted, there would be no riches, only floods. There was an agreement signed so that North Pole is neutral, but Russia wants it for themselves.

However, USA keeps an eye on that and Russia cannot take the North Pole with USA in presence. But there is only one island that keeps this delicate balance. Taiwan. If China attacked Taiwan, USA would be forced to send troops. Middle East would erupt into chaos, and USA's troops would be dispersed. Russia would take this chance and take the North Pole. The 3rd world war would happen. And this could lead to the end of the world.

Luckily, China and Taiwan are having talks. PEACE IN OUR TIME!:)

Answer 3

This may sound cynical, but nobody owns anything beyond their ability to keep others from taking it.

Answer 4

I always thought Santa Claus owned it. I guess I don't know who has a claim over him.

Answer 5

no owns it, only god =)

Answer 6

An Interesting question. Lithium...... is partly right however there is in place a treaty involving all coastal nations where they can claim an economic zone extending to half way between them and their neighbours. This, however had to be surveyed and distinguishing sea bed points had to be noted to mark the claimed boundary.

In the case of New Zealand it has claimed, and surveyed their entitled area of ocean and in fact controls the largest area of ocean of any country in the world.

To get back to your question. Under the terms of this treaty all countries could have claimed their respective parts of the Arctic Ocean and their collective boundaries would all meet at the geographic North Pole. To say who owns the North Pole is invalid as many country's economic boundaries meet at that point.

As far as political boundaries are concerned they are limited to a set distance from the coast line therefore the geographic North Pole is in fact in International waters. This is why submarines can navigate from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans without crossing another country's boundary.