The Canadian Shield
Nunavut

Did you know Nunavut is Canada's newest territory? Nunavut was once part of the Northwest Territories, but on April 1, 1999, it became a separate territory. Iqaluit is the capital of this very sparsely populated area.

Snowmobiles are the main means of transportation in this region. Airplanes transport food, dairy products, people and machinery to outlying areas where it is sometimes difficult to travel. Since air is a major form of transportation in Nunavut, almost every community has its own airport.

“Nunavut” means “our land” in the Inuit language, Inuktitut. The total population of Nunavut is 27,000 people. This very small population spreads over a large area including parts in four of Canada's geographical regions! The largest area of Nunavut can be found in the Canadian Shield, but parts of it can be found in the Arctic Lowlands, the Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Interior Plains. Seven of Canada's largest islands are found in this region, and while the population is small, Nunavut encompasses two-thirds of Canada's coastline.

There is no agricultural land in Nunavut, because the area is frozen much of the year. The growing season in this region is very short, and plants grow very slowly and remain small. Hunting and fishing are an important part of the life of the people of Nunavut.

The major industries of the area are mining, which is found on Little Cornwallis Island and Baffin Island, tourism, trapping and arts and crafts. The art of the people of this area has become very popular in recent years. Soapstone sculptures are sold around the world. Inuit sculptures usually show the relationship between the animals and people. Inuit paintings and drawings are highly prized works of art.