Why have people been exploring the Arctic for a long time?

Despite its complete unsuitability for permanent life, the Arctic has long attracted travelers who were looking for shorter sea routes, merchants who could get hold of furs. Now the Arctic is the richest and not plundered place on our planet. Here, there is a unique flora and fauna, huge reserves of oil, gas, gold, chromium, platinum, manganese, nickel, tin, diamonds, and also a large amount of fresh water is concentrated in the Arctic.