The tundra is the coldest of all Earth's biomes, covering approximately 20% of the planet's surface. Derived from the Finnish word tunturia , meaning "treeless plain," it is characterized by extremely low temperatures, minimal precipitation, and a permanently frozen subsoil known as . Key Regional Classifications
: Winters are long and dark, with temperatures dropping as low as , while brief summers remain cool, typically between Tundra
: With less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of annual precipitation, the tundra is functionally a "cold desert". Learning from the tundra - Schoodic Institute The tundra is the coldest of all Earth's
There are three primary types of tundra, each defined by its geography and climate: meaning "treeless plain