The World (NAPSA)—Defined as latitude 90 degrees north and referred to as the top of the world, the North Pole no longer requires travelers to have yearsof training or special equipment to explore the Arctic region. This form of travel origi- nated with the world’s first nuclear powered cargo-passenger ship, launched in 1962. TS ae More than 150 ships around the world use nuclear propulsion. Built as a showpiece under President Eisenhower’s “Atomsfor Peace” program, the NS Savannah demonstrated the peaceful use of nuclear propulsion. Today, Russia has nuclear-powered icebreakers that make trips through treacherous ice packs near the North Pole. For a fee, travelers can reserve berths aboard these massive ships that ride on frozen Arctic waters and, using their weight, smash through ice as thick as seven feet. Some scientific experts prefer nuclear powerto diesel because not only is it reliable, but it reduces the number of refueling trips needed when traveling to remote areas. To learn more, visit http:// www.ans.org/pi/np/northpole.
