The second fully revised edition of this work describes the geography of the polar regions. Due to climate change and the significance of sea ice coverage for the global climate, the polar regions have become the focus of research. This is associated with further synergistic effects on global climate development. As the melting of ice improves accessibility to these areas, various states have laid claim to ownership and usage rights over the resources of the polar regions. This new edition addresses these and other current aspects of the geography of the polar regions: new literature and research findings have been incorporated, the text has been expanded, and numerous photos and graphics have been added. The topics of climate change and the decline of Arctic sea ice extent are particularly addressed.