Canada is launching a series of military exercises in the Arctic far-north region of the country.

加拿大在国土北极地区开展一系列的军事演习。

A number of countries have competing claims for the Arctic

The so-called sovereignty operation is designed to show a visible presence in the resource-rich area, amid competing claims among other nations.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to join in some of the exercises later in the week.

Asserting（主张，声明） Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic has been a priority for Mr Harper's conservative（保守的） government.

'Show of strength'

Operation Nanook will see the Canadian Armed Forces involved in sea, land and airforce operations in the country's eastern Arctic territory.

Mr Harper is expected to join the operation midweek, when he will board both a navy frigate¹（三帆快速战舰） and a submarine during a warfare² exercise.

The region was once considered barren（不育的，贫瘠的）, but a number of countries with competing claims - including Denmark and Russia - have been carefully mapping the area around the North Pole, thought to be rich in minerals and natural resources.

In a symbolic³ gesture that won attention around the world in 2007, Russian explorers planted their country's flag on the seabed below the North Pole.

Canada is also concerned by the melting of ice each year through the fabled⁴ Northwest Passage, blamed by scientists on global warming.

The United States government has said that it does not recognise exclusive Canadian rights to the waterway, that could be a link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Some military analysts⁵ say that despite this week's show of strength, Canada does not have the resources to protect its vast Arctic territory full time.

There have been recent signs of closer co-operation in the region between Canada and Denmark.