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Northwest Territories and Nunavut: A New World
While the Northwest Territories has been part of Canada since 1870, Nunavut became Canada’s third territory on April 1, 1999. Formed from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut encompasses a massive portion of Canadian’s Arctic territory. “Nunavut” is an Inuktitut word meaning "our land," and this new territory is home to 25,000 residents, about 80 percent of whom are Inuit.
Combined, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut account for over two- million square kilometres of mountains, forests and tundra highlighted by hundreds of clean rivers and thousands of pristine lakes. Visitors come to view rare wildlife species from white wolves to white whales. In the distance herds of bison, prowling bears, moose and caribou can be heard roaming the frozen tundra.
While wildlife viewing opportunities are legendary in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Nahanni National Park has also become a popular tourist attraction. Here you can gear up for some canoeing, hiking, snowmobiling and/or dog sledding.
Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, is the main city centre for the region, and is the perfect starting point for your adventures.
Two of the biggest attractions in northern Canada are the long summer days of the “Midnight Sun,” and the aurora borealis or Northern Lights that can be seen in the night sky from late August until January.
A fiercely proud people, residents of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut encourage tourism, welcoming visitors with open arms, eager to display their native hand crafted arts, and tell the stories of their rich history.
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