Nunavut is Canada’s largest and northernmost territory, covering much of the Canadian Arctic. Created in 1999, it is home to a predominantly Inuit population and is known for its remote beauty, traditional culture, and vast tundra landscapes.
Quick Facts
- Capital and Largest Community: Iqaluit
- Population: Over 39,000 (as of 2024)
- Official Languages: Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, and French
- Area: 2,093,190 km² (largest territory in Canada)
- Time Zones: Eastern and Central Time Zones (some areas observe no daylight saving time)
Geography
Nunavut includes most of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, mainland tundra, and remote islands such as Baffin and Ellesmere. It shares borders with Manitoba, Northwest Territories, and Hudson Bay — but most of its communities are fly-in only.
Major Communities
- Iqaluit – Capital located on Baffin Island
- Rankin Inlet
- Arviat
- Cambridge Bay
- Pond Inlet
Economy
Nunavut’s economy is based on:
- Mining (gold, iron, and base metals)
- Fishing and subsistence hunting
- Government and public services
- Art, carving, and cultural tourism
Education
- Nunavut Arctic College – with campuses across the territory
Attractions
- Auyuittuq National Park
- Sirmilik National Park
- Inuit cultural centers and art cooperatives
- Polar bear and narwhal viewing
- Midnight sun and Northern Lights experiences
Did You Know?
- Nunavut means “Our Land” in Inuktitut.
- It was officially separated from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999.