Do Santa Claus and His Entourage Really Live in the North Pole

Let us contemplate the question of whether or not Santa Claus and his entourage really live in the North Pole as we take a closer look at the North Pole and weigh a few facts against reality:

* The North Pole is the northernmost point on earth which is located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, where the waters are perpetually covered with ice. Since this ice is in constant movement, it cannot sustain permanent structures. If Santa Claus and his entourage really lived in the North Pole, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus’ home would be in constant motion and shifting right along with the ice on which it would be standing and so would Santa’s toy workshop. Under such circumstances, I envision a life time of motion sickness. Ooh! Not a pretty picture.

* In the North Pole the sun rises in March and sets in September. That means that the North Pole has six months of daylight and then six months of night and only one sunset a year. That couldn’t possibly be a very romantic setting for Santa Claus and his wife.

* Local time is usual coordinated with the position of the sun in the sky and each location has been assigned a particular time zone. Since the sun is fixed in the sky for the duration of six months in the North Pole, there is no logical reason to coordinate local time or to assign a time zone. Santa Claus would find it impossible to figure out the time and may, therefore, be late for his Christmas Eve deliveries.

* Although the North Pole is warmer than most may think, its winters range from about -45° F (-43° C) to -15° F (-25° C) while its summer temperatures average at around the freezing point (32° F / 0° C). Sure, Santa Claus is wearing a winter suit. But for these kinds of temperatures he would need a few more layers of clothing which he doesn’t seem to have.

* I know that most everyone attributes snow, lots and lots of snow to the North Pole terrain but I have news for you, there is no snow in the North Pole. The North Pole has nothing but ice and more ice. Santa’s Christmas reindeer better have good traction on their hooves.

* When food is scarce, polar bears are seen occasionally at the North Pole, as are the arctic foxes and the ringed seals. Birds are only seen at or near the North Pole when they follow an expedition and those are the snow bunting, the northern fulmar and the black-legged kittiwake. There are virtually no sea creatures living in the waters of the North Pole and there is no vegetation growing there either. If Santa Claus and his entourage lived in the North Pole, Santa’s Christmas reindeer would have nothing to graze and Mrs. Claus would have nothing to cook for husband and his helpful little elves.

* With all the expeditions and researchers who cast their curious eyes throughout the North Pole environs there had not been a single sighting of Santa Claus, of Mrs. Claus, of Santa’s Christmas reindeer or of Santa’s helpful little elves. Nor has the Claus home, the toy workshop or the sleigh ever been seen in or near the North Pole.

In light of all these fact, I do not believe that Santa Claus and his entourage live in the North Pole. But I have heard a few rumors which put Santa Claus and his entire entourage in Lapland, Finland. And Lapland, Finland is not too far from the North Pole but far enough to make living there much more credible.