Why is it called the Arctic?
The word Arctic is derived from the Greek árktos which means “of the bear.” It refers to Ursa Major, a constellation of stars known as the Great Bear. While unviewable in Antarctica due to its position in the Southern Hemisphere, this gave it the name “anti-Bear” or “of no bear”.
While the terms refer to the constellations, it also works well for remembering where Polar bears live.
Arctic means “of the bear.” Antarctica means “of no bear.”
