Nunavut

Nunavut is a Canadian Arctic territory formed on April 1, 1999 from the eastern portion of the Northwest Territories after the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. It covers about 2.09 million square kilometers, making it the largest Canadian territorial division by area and about one-fifth of the country’s land mass. The population is around 39,000, with a majority identifying as Inuit.

The capital is Iqaluit, located on Baffin Island. Nunavut uses a consensus government in which members of the Legislative Assembly are elected as independents and no political parties operate in the territorial government. The territory recognizes Inuktitut (including Inuinnaqtun), English, and French as official languages, with Inuktitut widely used in daily life and government.

Nunavut is divided into three regions: Kitikmeot in the west, Kivalliq in the central south, and Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) in the east. The landscape includes coastal fjords, tundra, ice, and permafrost, with a cold, Arctic climate and maritime influences. The region supports wildlife such as caribou, muskox, polar bears, seals, and various seabirds, with some species affected by climate change.

The economy relies on public administration, education, health services, mining and mineral exploration (including iron ore at Mary River), arts and crafts, and tourism. Most communities lack road connections and depend on air travel and seasonal shipping for supplies and travel.

Culture centers on Inuit traditions such as hunting and fishing, throat singing, and printmaking. Nunavut supports language preservation and community development through institutions like Nunavut Arctic College.