Holiday Ayo -  The North Pole (Arctic) and South Pole (Antarctic) present an eternal expanse of ice. However, behind the monotonous scenery there is hidden beauty. Tourists can watch whales and polar bears, as well as penguin colonies.

The North Pole is even inhabited by 4 million people, which are divided into several regions under Russia, Alaska (United States), Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Lapland and Norway. Meanwhile, the South Pole has become a no man's land even though several countries have set up research stations there, including Australia, Argentina, Chile and England.

The following are the Arctic and Antarctic regions which have beautiful panoramas, as quoted from msn.com.

1. Iceland

source: Exodus Travels

In South Iceland, there are 1,000-year-old chunks of ice that have broken off from the Oraefajokull glacier and floated into the ocean. Oraefajokull is an ice-covered volcano in southeast Iceland, which is part of Vatnajökull National Park.

2. Antarctica

source: WWF Australia

A group of Adelie penguins rest on ice at the South Pole (Antarctic). Adelie live in Antarctica, where they dive as deep as 575 feet (175 meters) in search of food. They also travel 185 miles (297 km) round trip in search of food. Adelie penguins live in the Ross Sea in the Antarctic region to the Falkland and South Georgia Islands.

3. Lago Bianco, Switzerland

source: Adobe Stock

When lake water freezes quickly, this freezing process traps bubbles beneath the surface of the water. The bubbles in Lago Bianco, Switzerland are likely formed from methane gas. Rotting organic substances at the bottom of the lake are eaten by bacteria, which ultimately produces methane gas. If conditions are right, these methane bubbles are trapped when the surrounding water freezes.

4. Wilhelmina Bay

source: Oceanwide Expeditions

This bay, which is famous for its steep cliffs and ice carvings, is a beautiful Antarctic tourist destination. This bay is a habitat for humpback whales which feed on krill that live in the bay.

Wilhelmina Bay is nicknamed "Whale-mina Bay" because of the large number of humpback whales. This bay is a popular tourist spot for expedition ships to Antarctica thanks to its abundant whale population and spectacular views. The bay is surrounded by steep cliffs filled with snow and glaciers. An almost perfect pyramid-shaped peak towers over the water.

5. Matanuska Glacier, Alaska

source: glacieraccess

Matanuska is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Located about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city.

Matanuska Glacier is a tourist destination in the city of Alaska that is most visited by foreign tourists. Tourists visit it to enjoy the cool air and beautiful landscapes. Tourists usually climb iceberg cliffs for recreation or sport. This ice valley is thought to have been formed 10,000 years ago.