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The '''Northwest Passage''' is a sea passage between the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] Oceans by way of the [[Arctic Ocean]] north of [[North America]]. Many [[explorer]]s, like [[John Cabot]] and [[Henry Hudson]], spent most of their lives trying to find the Northwest Passage, without success due to the polar icecap. However, the search for the Northwest Passage led to many great discoveries, such as [[Balboa]]'s discovery of the [[Pacific]], and the [[Lewis and Clark]] expedition (also to the Pacific, but much later).

The '''Northwest Passage''' is a sea passage between the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] Oceans by way of the [[Arctic Ocean]] north of [[North America]]. Many [[explorer]]s, like [[John Cabot]] and [[Henry Hudson]], spent most of their lives trying to find the Northwest Passage, without success due to the polar icecap. However, the search for the Northwest Passage led to many great discoveries, such as [[Balboa]]'s discovery of the [[Pacific]], and the [[Lewis and Clark]] expedition (also to the Pacific, but much later).

In 2007, the arctic ice cap had melted to the lowest level on record (allegedly due to [[global warming]]).  This lead to renewed interest in the passage, should the area be ice-free in the future.  Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark (via [[Greenland]]) and the United States have rushed to obtain rights to the arctic route.  In August, a Russian submarine planted the Russian flag under the [[North Pole]], making a symbolic claim to the area.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070916/ap_on_sc/northwest_passage Arctic ice melt opens Northwest Passage]</ref>

In 2007, the arctic ice cap had melted to the lowest level on record (allegedly due to [[global warming]]).  This led to renewed interest in the passage, should the area be ice-free in the future.  Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark (via [[Greenland]]) and the United States have rushed to obtain rights to the arctic route.  In August, a Russian submarine planted the Russian flag under the [[North Pole]], making a symbolic claim to the area.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070916/ap_on_sc/northwest_passage Arctic ice melt opens Northwest Passage]</ref>

[[File:NW-passage.jpg|thumb|450px]]

[[File:NW-passage.jpg|thumb|450px]]

In September 2009 two German ships have begun the transit from a Siberian port for Rotterdam in the Netherlands carrying 3,500 tons of construction materials. It will be the first commercial voyage to use the Northwest Passage.<ref>Andrew E. Kramer and Andrew C. Revkin, "Arctic Shortcut Beckons Shippers as Ice Thaws " [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/science/earth/11passage.html?ref=world ''New York Times'' Sept. 10, 2009]</ref>

In September 2009 two German ships have begun the transit from a Siberian port for Rotterdam in the Netherlands carrying 3,500 tons of construction materials. It will be the first commercial voyage to use the Northwest Passage.<ref>Andrew E. Kramer and Andrew C. Revkin, "Arctic Shortcut Beckons Shippers as Ice Thaws " [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/science/earth/11passage.html?ref=world ''New York Times'' Sept. 10, 2009]</ref>