Facts About Northwest Territories

Population: According to the 1996 census, 39,672

Prior to 1999, the Northwest Territories constituted Canada's largest political division, covering an area of 1,322,900 square miles (3,426,300 square kilometers). In April of 1999, however, the Canadian government divided the Northwest Territories to create a new territory known as Nunavut. Established as a homeland for ethnic Inuit people, Nunavut consisted of the easternmost portion of what was the Northwest Territories.

The Northwest Territories is rich in resources. Fresh water is abundant in two major lakes--the Great Slave and the Great Bear--and the Mackenzie River, the second longest in North America. Minerals are plentiful: uranium, tungsten, lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold are all found. Of these zinc, gold, lead, silver, and tungsten are the most valuable. There is some petroleum production and extensive exploration. Although approximately a large portion of the territory is forested, commercial forestry is limited.

The climate is cold and dry. In the Arctic climatic area temperatures in the warmest month average no more than 50o F (10o C). In the sub-Arctic climatic areas summer temperatures are warmer, but freezing temperatures are the rule from October to April.

Native Americans outnumber people of European descent. In the extreme north live the Inuit, formerly referred to as Eskimo. These nomads have hunted whales and caribou for centuries. The other major native group is the Dene. These Athabascan-speaking Dene were caribou and moose hunters who adapted themselves to the fur-trade activities of the 17th to 19th centuries. There are also communities of metis, descendants of French and native peoples.

Compton's and Encarta Encyclopedia © 2001