Hello dear fellows! How are you? I hope you will be fine and will be enjoying the nature and its beauty. I am @akmalshakir and I am here to participate in this beautiful contest of choices organized by @patjewell. If you want to participate feel free to show up here CONTEST & Winners! Choices! What will it be? #31 so guys let's start exploring my choice from the given things. I have chosen Space as mine choice.

Igloo

^{Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay}

Dear fellows have you ever thought that how people survive in the Arctic in harsh and freezing temperatures. And there comes igloo for the surgical in the freezing harsh temperature of the Arctic. Igloo is the iconic symbol of the Arctic as well. The word igloo derived from the lnuit word which is used for the house or shelter.

There are mainly three different types of igloo:

Small: These are the smallest size igloos which are used for the stay of short time. These are often made and used for the hunting trips.
Intermediate: These are bigger than the smaller Igloos and these can be used for the shelter of at least two families.
Largest: These are the biggest in size and these are especially made for many people. These are made for the feasts and community gatherings and dances.

History and cultural significance

It was mainly introduced by the lnuit people who invented it when they go out for the hunting trips in the cold places. They built some temporary houses to get protection from the cold with the help of those houses. And these were named as igloo. So it is used as a temporary shelter. Igloos are the dome-shaped structures. These are made out of the snow and ice. These have been used by the lnuit people for the centuries.

Igloo Construction

Building an igloo is not an easy job. It needs careful planning and management. There is need of precise measurements and the proper knowledge of the ice and snow. The construction process starts by compacting the ice into the blocks like the bricks. As these blocks are building blocks of the igloo. Then these blocks are arranged in the spiral form and arrangement. Each new row of these blocks overlaps the previous one. And the after the completion of these rows the final layer is made up of the clear ice blocks. This final layer made up of the clear ice blocks allows natural light to filter through.

Functionality and benefits

As in the start I have mentioned some functions and benefits of the igloos so these are are suited for the arctic environments. The snow acts as an insulator. This insulation layer helps keeping the heat in the interior to maintain the warmness in the cold. And the dome shape helps the equal distribution of the weight at each side. This shape also helps from the heavy snowfall and strong winds. As there is the opening of every room and house. And the opening of the igloo is made lower than the remaining walls of Igloo because it helps preventing cold air entering in.

Cultural Significance

Nowadays as the formation and construction of the formal houses have been increased in the Arctic areas, but igloos still hold significance for the lnuit people. These are also used nowadays for the short shelter while the trips. They use igloos for the cultural events. Many lnuit families also teach their children the traditional ways for the formation of the igloos. They believe that igloo formation knowledge should be passed down to the new generations as well because it is their cultural significance.

Popular Culture

As in the old days igloos were only used in the lnuit families but nowadays igloo has become very popular in other areas as well. Igloos have already attracted the imagination of the people worldwide. The iconic symbol of arctic has become popular at this extent that it has been used in different drama serials, movies and cartoons. It has been used in the advertisements as well.

Modern Adaptations

The traditional igloos as the sign of old culture are used by many people but due to the change in the technologies there are the modern adaptations of igloos. People are making ice hotels in the form of igloos where these hotels are made completely with the help of snow and ice.

Environment friendly

These are environmental friendly as there is no use of the pollutants. These are mainly made with the ice and snow so these do not have impacts at the environment. These are pollution free.

Conclusion

Igloos are more than the snow structures. These are symbols of adaptability and ancient culture. They have also provided shelter for the arctic communities for centuries. And nowadays igloos are becoming the ice hotels and for the big cultural activities.

I invite @suboohi, @aaliarubab to join this contest.