The Arctic has been populated by small groups of people for thousands of years. They probably followed herds of reindeer, caribou, and musk oxen from Central Asia northward and eventually adapted to the environment. One of the most widespread people in the region are the Inuit, commonly known as the Eskimos. They are found in Alaska and Canada, as well as Greenland and Siberia. Indians also live in the some areas of the North American Arctic region, especially in Alaska and Canada.

Perhaps the best-known people of the European Arctic region are the Lapps, who live in the northern areas of Finland, Norway and Sweden and in parts of the Soviet Union. Many Lapps still follow their traditional ways of life as hunters and reindeer herders. But as the Arctic is increasingly exploited for its natural resources, they are being trained for more settled occupations, such as farming and mining.

In Siberia, in the Asian Arctic region of the Soviet Union, the native people includes the Chukchi, Koyaki, and Yakuts, as well as some Inuit and Lapps. Most continues to follow their traditional occupations -- herding reindeer, hunting, fishing, and fur trapping.

All of the native Arctic people have developed a unique ability to survive in their harsh environment by skillfully using the few materials available to them. From snow, ice and animal skins and bones they have fashioned a simple technology that enables them to build shelthers, weapons, and such forms of transportaion such as sleds and kayaks (small, skin-covered boats). Land and sea animals and fish provide their main source of food.