The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) was established in 1980 with a mission to improve understanding of ocean-ice-atmosphere interactions, the animal and plant kingdoms of the Arctic and Antarctic, and the evolution of the polar continents and seas. The Institute's web site offers information on its main divisions (geosciences, biosciences, climate sciences), new technologies, and general services, as well as on its history and organization. Visitors to the site will also find information on AWI research topics and projects, working groups, publications, facilities, collaborative work, talks, workshops, and conferences.