Map of Manitoba and Nunavut

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, rivers, lakes, parks, highways, Trans-Canada highway, and main roads in Manitoba and the southern part of Nunavut.

Manitoba-Nunavut Border: Provincial and Territorial Boundary

The border between Manitoba and Nunavut represents a boundary between a Canadian province and a territory. This border extends approximately 682 kilometers along the 60th parallel north, which serves as the southern boundary of Nunavut in this region. The boundary continues northward following Manitoba's northeastern coastline along Hudson Bay.

Geographic Characteristics

The border region is characterized by remote, sparsely populated tundra and subarctic terrain. Most of the boundary runs through areas with limited human habitation, including portions of Wapusk National Park on the Manitoba side. The region experiences extreme climate conditions with long, severe winters and brief summers.

Hudson Bay dominates the eastern portion of this border area. Several communities exist near the boundary, including Churchill, Manitoba, which serves as a significant port and tourist destination known for polar bear viewing. The Nunavut side includes part of the Kivalliq Region.

Administrative Distinction

Unlike inter-provincial borders, the Manitoba-Nunavut boundary separates different levels of governmental jurisdiction. Manitoba exercises full provincial powers under the Canadian Constitution, while Nunavut operates as a federal territory with powers delegated by the Parliament of Canada. This distinction affects resource management, taxation, and various administrative matters.

Formation of the Border

Nunavut was officially separated from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, creating Canada's newest territory. Prior to this date, Manitoba bordered the Northwest Territories. The establishment of Nunavut resulted from land claims negotiations with Inuit populations and represented the largest Indigenous land claim settlement in Canadian history. The 60th parallel had long served as the northern boundary of Manitoba, established when the province's borders were extended northward in 1912.