A Vast Fascinating Land

Canada's Arctic is a vast, fascinating landscape which was probably inhabited as long ago as 17,000 years. It is divided into Yukon (population 30,700), the Northwest Territories (population 42,100), and Nunavut (population 27,700), Canada's newest territory, which came into existence on April 1, 1999. This majestic land is populated with people who revel in the seemingly endless 3.5 million square kilmoteres (1.3 million mi.²) of space, the wondrous wildlife and cooler climate.

Cold temperatures are not the only phenomena common to the North. Near the Arctic Circle, daylight hours extend from 24 hours on June 21st to none on December 21st, and the Aurora Borealis of Northern Lights are like a natural laser show.

The Arctic Zone is the habitat of many animals including polar bear, muskox, barren-ground caribou, arctic fox, arctic wolf, ermine, walrus and arctic hare. Among the distinctive birds are the snowy owl, gyrfalcon and willow ptarmigan. In the Hudsonian Zone, where the temperature in July remains below 14°C (57°F), the wolverine, great grey owl and rough-legged hawk are found.

Discover more about this amazing place by visiting the sites listed on the left.