Northwest Territories is one of three territories found in Canada. It is the second largest geographically and has the largest population. As of 2019, the territory has an estimated population of nearly 45,000. The territorial capital Yellowknife has been the capital since 1967.
The Northwest Territories has been part of Canada since 1870. However, it has been divided many times over the years to create new territories or provinces, or to enlarge the area of existing provinces and territories. The last change to the borders was made in 1999, when a large portion of the territory was divided to create Nunavut.
The Northwest Territories is bordered by Nunavut on the east and Yukon on the west, existing between these two other Canadian territories. To the south, the territory is bordered by Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Before any Europeans arrived on the land, the Northwest Territories were occupied by a number of different Inuit and First Nations peoples. Some of the Inuit nations indigenous to the land include the Copper, Central, and Caribou nations. Some of the First Nations groups include the Yellowknives, Slavey, Nahanni, Sekani, Dogrib, Beaver, and Chipewyan peoples.
1670 was when the Hudson’s Bay Company was formed via royal charter. At the time of formation, the government gave the company a commercial monopoly over all of Rupert’s Land. In the present day, the Northwest Territories are northwest of this area. Though the Northwest Territories weren’t part of the HBC’s formal monopoly, they were frequently used as part of the HBC’s trading practices. When the French surrendered their claim to Hudson Bay, the British became the only Europeans with access to the Northwest Territories.
There were multiple reasons that Europeans visited the area. One was for fur trading. Another was for seeking out new trade routes, including several expeditions to find the Northwest Passage. The first residential school in Canada was opened in 1867 in Fort Resolution. Several other schools were opened in different regions throughout the territory.
The Canadian government obtained authority over the Northwest Territories when the HBC transferred its ownership to the British Crown. The crown then transferred them to the Canadian government. At first, the Northwest Territories were made up of the entirety of Canada besides small portions of Quebec, Ontario, the Maritimes, the Labrador coast, Newfoundland, the Arctic Islands, and British Columbia.
Manitoba was created in 1870 as a small area around Winnipeg. In 1881, it was enlarged to a more rectangular region using land that was part of the Northwest Territories. Meanwhile, Ontario and Quebec were both enlarged into the Northwest Territories. Later, in 1898, the Gold Rush caused Yukon to be identified as a separate territory rather than part of the Northwest Territories.
Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba expanded into the Territories for the last time in 1912. This left very few districts in the established land. In 1925, the territory’s boundaries extended upward until they reached the North Pole. Between 1925 and 1999, the land mass covered by the Northwest Territories was larger than India.
The Northwest Territories was split into two portions in 1999. Nunavut was formed as a representation of the Inuit people, so that the Inuit people could be allowed to govern themselves.
The territory has a few geographical features of note. One is Great Bear Lake, which is the largest lake that exists entirely within Canada. Also part of the Northwest Territories is Great Slave Lake, which is the deepest body of water found on the continent. It reaches depths of 614 meters or 2,014 feet. The Nahanni National Park Reserve is a World Heritage Site and national park located in the Northwest Territories.
Several islands are part of the territory as well. These include portions of Melville Island and Victoria Island, as well as Prince Patrick Island, Borden Island, and Banks Island. The highest elevation is the peak of Mount Nirvana, which reaches 2,773 meters or 9,098 feet.
The climate varies widely depending on how far north or south you are. The majority of the mainland portion has a subarctic climate, while the northern coast and islands experience a polar climate. Northern summers tend to be cool and short, with daytime highs of just 14 to 17 Celsius. Winters tend to be harsh and long.
In the south, summers can commonly reach temperatures of 36 Celsius, but the lows can dip to below freezing. Southern winters can also be extremely cold, with temperatures that can get lower than -40 Celsius.
Thunderstorms occur regularly in the south, but they tend to be rare in the north. It’s extremely rare for tornadoes to occur, but they have happened.
The Northwest Territories have an economy chiefly focused around mining and tourism. Among the geological resources in the territory are petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, and gold. Multiple large diamond companies mine a great deal of their product from mines in the Northwest Territories.
Yellowknife is a popular spot for international visitors to view the auroras in winter. There are five national parks and reserves that are managed by Parks Canada.
The Northwest Territories have a population made up of more than fifty percent Aboriginal peoples. Nearly thirty-seven percent of the population identifies as First Nations, with another eleven percent identifying as Inuit.
Eleven official languages are recognized by the territory’s government.
Northwest Territories’ Cities and Regional Municipalities Includes Yellowknife.
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