The Arctic Circle monument on the island Vikingen. In the background is the characteristic profile
of the island of Hestmanden. This monument marks the Arctic Circle at latitude 66˚ 33’ 44”, which
is the southern extremity of the polar day (the 24-hour sunlit day, often referred to as the
“midnight sun”) and the polar night (24-hour sunless night). The position of the Arctic Circle is
not fixed, but depends on the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which fluctuates depending on tidal forces
due to the moon. Currently the Arctic Circle is drifting northwards at about 15 m per year.