25 Nunavut Facts: Learn About The Biggest Province In Canada

Nunavut, which was formed in 1999 from the eastern half of the northwest territories, covers the traditional lands of the indigenous peoples of Arctic Canada, Inuits, which means 'Our Land' in Inuktitut.

The seasons in this part of Canada can be experienced in a variety of ways due to the large expanse of the country, and each region has its own seasonal calendar. There are many traditional winter sports including hockey and curling, as well as snowmobile and dogsled that are practiced in Nunavut.

Read on to learn more.

Climate Of Nunavut

The territory of Nunavut has five distinct seasons. Spring temperatures are more stable over the region, with daytime highs ranging from -68 to -50 F (-20 to -10 C) on average.

The sun shines brightly during the cold spring days. Annual precipitation levels are less than 8 in (200 mm) in the west and steadily rise towards the east.

Bylot Island, in the east of the region, see precipitation levels of more than 24 in (600 mm) and almost the entire territory is covered in permanent permafrost.

Kugluktuk has the warmest average temperature in Nunavut, with summer temperatures reaching 86 F (30 C).

Winter temperatures range from -59 F to -104 F (-15 to -40 C).

Grise Fiord is Nunavut's coldest hamlet, with summer temperatures sometimes reaching 41 F (5 C) and winter temperatures often dropping below -122 F (-50 C).

Nunavut has a polar climate in most areas. Due to July being slightly warmer than the requisite 50 F (10 C), exceptionally cold subarctic temperatures can be found in more southerly continental locations.

Tourist Attractions In Nunavut

Nunavut is the world's fifth-largest island, with a shoreline and flora that varies greatly.

The island's eastern shore is one of the greatest places to visit.

The purple saxifrage is Nunavut's territorial flower, the Canadian Inuit dog is its mammal, and the Rock Ptarmigan is its bird.

A substantial area of Auyuittuq National Park is occupied by the Penny Ice Cap, a relic of Ice Age glaciations.

Baker Lake, also known as 'Qamani'tuaq' in Inuktitut, which means 'where the river expands,' is an old non-coastal home for eleven Inuit families.

Barbeau Peak on Ellesmere Island, at 8,583 ft (2,616 m) above sea level, is Nunavut's highest peak.

Pond Inlet is known as the 'Jewel of the North' because of the mountains seen from all sides and it is the main settlement on Northern Baffin Island.

Frobisher Bay is a deep depression on Baffin Island's extreme southeast coast, whose shape creates a funneling effect, resulting in a twice-daily tidal range of 22-36 ft (7-11 m) at the port of Iqaluit, near the bay's head.

Economy Of Nunavut

The Inuit and Territorial Government, oil, gas, mining, mineral exploration, arts, crafts, hunting, whaling, fishing, tourism, transportation, housing development, military, research, and education all contribute to Nunavut's economy.

Mining is the most important sector of Nunavut's economy, accounting for 25% of GDP and 99% of the value of the territory's foreign exports in 2018.

Although mining is vital to Iqaluit's economy, the city is also supporting other businesses including arts and culture, tourism, and the environment.

According to a recent report, the present harvesting economy is worth almost $40 million per year. Sealing is more than a business in Nunavut; it's a way of life that helps Inuit stay connected to their natural surroundings.

Every year, 40,000 seals are predicted to be taken in Nunavut.

Seal meat is worth about $5 million in terms of replacement food value.

The arts and crafts industry earns an extra $1 million from sealskin items.

In the Baffin area, onshore and offshore turbot fishing is a key employer.

Population And Culture Of Nunavut

Hunting, fishing, hiking, and kayaking are just a few of the outdoor activities that draw people to the area.

The public policy of Nunavut has continued to foster the Inuit traditions of arts and crafts, including stone carvings, weavings, and prints, providing a vital source of money for certain Inuit communities and bringing Inuit culture to the attention of collectors across the world.

Rankin Inlet on the northwest coast of Hudson Bay, Pangnirtung on Baffin Island's Cumberland Peninsula, and Cambridge Bay on Victoria Island's southeast coast are among the other settlements.

The official languages of Nunavut are English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun, a dialect spoken by people of western Nunavut.

In 2010, scientists from the National Museum of Denmark and the Beijing Genomics Institute sequenced approximately 80% of an ancient Paleo-Eskimo man's DNA using hair clippings dating back 4,000 years.

Nunavut's primary language is Inuktitut, and the region has its very own Inuit Broadcasting Corporation. In Nunavut, traditional arts like soapstone carving, throat singing, and dancing to the rhythm of old drums are very much alive.

Nunavut is one of the world's most distinctive arctic tourism spots with vivid scenic beauty, mostly populated by indigenous communities.

While many western leisure activities including soccer, hockey, baseball, and basketball are popular among Nunavummiut, they also enjoy traditional Inuit games like the one- and two-foot high kick, kneel leap, and arm pull.

The government and its agencies help to provide the area with a significant amount of jobs and revenue, furthering its overall development.

FAQs

What are five interesting facts about Nunavut?

Interesting facts about Nunavut territory of Canada:

Arctic Bay, a vibrant, traditional community located in the northwest corner of Baffin Island, enjoys constant 24-hour sunshine from May 6 to August 6.

Nunavut is the largest province of Canada. With over 772204 sq mi (2 million sq km) of land including many arctic islands.

Most of the Canadian territory is governed by consensus. All members of the Legislative Assembly run as independents, and governance decisions are made in a circle.

Nunavut is home to the world's biggest land carnivore, male polar bears weigh up to 1,500 lbs (680.3 kg) and are over 10 ft (3 m) tall.

It has Canada's longest coastline. Over 36,000 islands make up the Arctic Archipelago. This entails a significant amount of shoreline. There are a lot of rivers to explore if you're looking for a kayak trip.

What is Nunavut known for?

There are five national parks and 10 territorial parks in Nunavut.

How old is Nunavut?

On April 1, 1999, Nunavut became an independent territory. Around 2800 years ago, the Pre-Dorset civilization was supplanted by the Dorset culture.

Are there Eskimos in Nunavut?

Yes, Paleo-Eskimos was the earliest indigenous people, who settled in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.

Who first discovered Nunavut?

Around 2500 BC, the first Paleo-Eskimo tribe in Nunavut emerged.