Northeast Passage

Northeast Passage, sea route linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It passes north of the Eurasian mainland along the Arctic coast of Norway and the Russian Federation. Adolf Nordenskjöld, the Swedish explorer, was the first to sail its length (1878–79), although its exploration dates from the 16th century. Area explorers included William Barents, Henry Hudson, James Cook, and Vitus Bering.

See also: Nordenskjöld, Nils Adolf Erik.