What best describes the physical characteristics of polar regions?

The physical characteristics of polar regions are best described by cold temperatures and ice. Polar regions, which include the Arctic and Antarctic, are defined by their extreme cold climate, long periods of darkness during winter, and long days during the summer. These areas experience very low average temperatures year-round, often well below freezing, and are covered in ice and snow for the majority of the year. The unique environment supports specially adapted wildlife and vegetation but is largely inhospitable for most forms of life seen in other climatic zones.

In contrast, the other options fail to describe the polar regions accurately. Hot and humid conditions would be characteristic of tropical regions rather than polar climates. Temperate and moderate climates relate more to regions with distinct seasons and are not applicable to the extreme cold of the Arctic and Antarctic. Similarly, dry and arid landscapes better describe desert regions, where water scarcity and high temperatures are prevalent. Therefore, the defining traits of cold temperatures and ice solely represent the conditions of polar regions.