pole

Either of the geographic north and south points of the axis about which the Earth rotates. The geographic poles differ from the magnetic poles, which are the points towards which a freely suspended magnetic needle will point.

In 1985 the magnetic north pole was some 350 km/218 mi northwest of Resolute Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada. It moves northwards about 10 km/6 mi each year, although it can vary in a day about 80 km/50 mi from its average position. It is relocated every decade in order to update navigational charts.

It is thought that periodic changes in the Earth's core cause a reversal of the magnetic poles (see polar reversal, magnetic field). Many animals, including migrating birds and fish, are believed to orient themselves partly using the Earth's magnetic field. A permanent scientific base collects data at the South Pole.

Pole

People of Polish culture from Poland and the surrounding area.

There are 37-40 million speakers of Polish (including some in the USA), a Slavic language belonging to the Indo-European family. The Poles are predominantly Roman Catholic, though there is an Orthodox Church minority. They are known for their distinctive cooking, folk festivals, and folk arts.