Map of Alberta and the Northwest Territories

Description:
This map shows rivers, lakes, cities, towns, villages, parks, highways, main roads in Alberta and the southern part of the Northwest Territories.

Alberta and Northwest Territories Border

Alberta and the Northwest Territories share a border along the 60th parallel north, forming the northern boundary of Alberta. This border is approximately 1,223 kilometers in length, stretching from the British Columbia border in the west to the Saskatchewan border in the east.

Geographic Features

The border region is characterized by boreal forest, numerous lakes, rivers, and extensive wetlands. The Slave River, one of the major waterways in northwestern Canada, flows north across the border. Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada's largest national park, straddles the Alberta-Northwest Territories border, protecting the habitat of the last remaining herd of wood bison in the wild. The landscape consists of relatively flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations generally below 500 meters above sea level.

Communities and Population

Few permanent communities exist immediately along the border due to the remote nature of the region. Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, located just north of the border on the Slave River, serves as the largest community in the border area. On the Alberta side, communities such as Fort Chipewyan and Fort Fitzgerald are located near the border. The region has a low population density, with significant distances between settlements. Indigenous peoples, including Dene and Cree nations, maintain communities and traditional territories in the border region.

Economic Activities

Economic activity in the border region involves natural resource extraction, traditional Indigenous activities, and limited tourism. Mining operations in the Northwest Territories, particularly diamond mines, have generated economic activity that affects both territories. Transportation services and supply chains connecting southern Alberta to Northwest Territories communities pass through the border region. Commercial fishing occurs in Great Slave Lake, which is accessible via rivers crossing the border. Tourism related to Wood Buffalo National Park and wilderness experiences attracts visitors from both provinces.

Transportation

Highway 35, also known as the Mackenzie Highway, is the primary road route crossing the border, connecting High Level, Alberta, to Fort Smith and Hay River in the Northwest Territories. This highway serves as a crucial transportation link for people and goods moving to and from the Northwest Territories. Winter roads provide seasonal access to remote communities. Air transportation is essential for many communities, with regular service connecting settlements in both jurisdictions.

Environmental Significance

The Peace-Athabasca Delta, located in the border region within Wood Buffalo National Park, is one of the world's largest freshwater deltas and a designated Ramsar wetland of international importance. The area provides critical habitat for migratory birds, including nesting grounds for the endangered whooping crane. The park protects the last natural nesting area for whooping cranes in North America.