Nunavut Map

Description: This map shows towns, villages, islands, province capital, rivers, and lakes in Nunavut.

---

Nunavut is the largest and northernmost territory of Canada. It was officially separated from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, making it the first major change to Canada's political map since the province of Newfoundland was admitted in 1949. The creation of Nunavut resulted from the largest aboriginal land claims agreement between the Canadian government and the native Inuit people.

Geography

Nunavut comprises a major portion of Northern Canada and most of the Arctic Archipelago. Its vast territory covers approximately 2,093,190 square kilometers (808,190 square miles), representing about one-fifth of Canada's total land area. This makes Nunavut the fifth-largest country subdivision in the world. The territory is bordered by the Northwest Territories to the west, Manitoba to the south, and extends to the North Pole. It includes numerous islands, including Baffin Island, Ellesmere Island, and Victoria Island, which are among the largest islands in the world. Nunavut also borders the province of Saskatchewan in the southwest at a quadrangular intersection of borders and has a short land border with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador on Killinick Island. It has maritime borders with the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba; which run along the coastlines of these provinces and include all bays under Nunavut's jurisdiction, rather than running down the middle of the waterway as is usually the case. With Greenland, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it has a mostly maritime international border, which includes a small land border on Hans Island.

The territorial capital and largest community is Iqaluit, located on Baffin Island with a population of approximately 7,000 residents. Nunavut has 25 communities in total, all of which are accessible only by aircraft or boat, as there are no roads connecting them to the rest of Canada.

Climate

The climate is Arctic and subarctic, characterized by long, extremely cold winters and short, cool summers. Average winter temperatures can drop below -30°C (-22°F), while summer temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). The territory experiences polar night during winter months and midnight sun during summer in its northernmost regions.

Demographics

As of the 2025, Nunavut had a population of 41,830, making it the least populous of Canada's provinces and territories. The population density is extremely low at approximately 0.02 people per square kilometer. Approximately 85% of the population is Inuit, making Nunavut the only Canadian territory or province with an Indigenous majority. The remaining population consists of non-Indigenous Canadians, primarily employed in government, education, and resource extraction sectors.

The official languages of Nunavut are:

• Inuktitut
• Inuinnaqtun
• English
• French

Inuktitut is the most widely spoken language, used by approximately 65% of the population as their mother tongue.

History

The territory has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples for approximately 4,000 years. The Thule people, ancestors of modern Inuit, arrived in the region around 1000 CE, gradually replacing the earlier Dorset culture. European exploration began in the 16th century, with Martin Frobisher conducting expeditions to the region in the 1570s.

The area became part of the Northwest Territories when Canada acquired Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company in 1870. Beginning in the 1970s, Inuit leaders advocated for the creation of a separate territory. Negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut led to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, signed in 1993. This agreement transferred title to 350,000 square kilometers of land to the Inuit, along with mineral rights to 36,000 square kilometers, and provided a capital transfer of $1.14 billion over 14 years.

Government and Politics

Nunavut has a public government system based on consensus rather than party politics. The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut consists of 22 members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The members then choose a Premier and Cabinet ministers from among themselves through a consensus-building process. This system differs from the party-based parliamentary systems used in Canada's provinces and other territories.

The territory is represented in the federal Parliament by one Member of Parliament in the House of Commons and one Senator. The Commissioner of Nunavut represents the federal government and performs ceremonial duties similar to a provincial lieutenant governor.

Economy

The economy is primarily based on hunting, fishing, and government services. Traditional activities remain important for food security and cultural identity. Mining has emerged as a significant economic sector, with several active mines producing gold, iron ore, and other minerals. The Meadowbank and Meliadine gold mines operated by Agnico Eagle Mines are major employers in the territory.

Tourism represents a growing sector, with visitors attracted to Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, caribou, and narwhals, as well as opportunities for viewing the Northern Lights and experiencing Inuit culture. Arts and crafts, particularly soapstone carvings and textile arts, provide income for many residents and contribute to the preservation of traditional skills.

Unemployment rates remain higher than the Canadian average, and the cost of living is significantly elevated due to the remote location and reliance on air freight for most goods. Government transfers and programs constitute a major portion of the territorial economy.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Transportation infrastructure is limited due to permafrost and extreme weather conditions. There are no highways or railroads in Nunavut. All communities are accessible only by air year-round, with seasonal marine transportation available during the brief ice-free period. The territory operates several airports, with the busiest being Iqaluit International Airport. Snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles serve as primary modes of local transportation.

Education and Healthcare

The education system includes both Western-style curriculum and traditional Inuit knowledge. Nunavut Arctic College, established in 1995, is the territory's only post-secondary institution, offering programs in trades, teacher education, and environmental technology. Healthcare services face challenges due to geographic isolation, with many specialized services requiring patients to travel to facilities in southern Canada. The territory operates health centers in each community and a regional hospital in Iqaluit.

Culture

Inuit culture dominates the social and cultural life of Nunavut. Traditional practices such as throat singing, drum dancing, and storytelling remain integral to community life. The territory celebrates Nunavut Day on July 9 each year, commemorating the signing of the land claims agreement. Country food, including caribou, seal, Arctic char, and whale, continues to be an essential component of the diet and cultural identity. Contemporary Inuit artists have gained international recognition for their sculptures, prints, and textiles, with communities like Cape Dorset being renowned centers of artistic production.

The Facts:

Capital:	Iqaluit
Largest Town:	Iqaluit
Population (Q3 2025):	41,830[1]
Area:	808,190 sq mi (2,093,190 sq km)
Density:	0.052/sq mi (0.02/sq km)
Official languages:	Inuit (Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun), English, French
Coordinates:	67°21′N 90°54′W
Gross domestic product (Total):	C$2.846 billion
Gross domestic product (Per capita):	C$58,452
Canadian postal abbr.:	NU
Postal code prefix:	X0A, X0B, X0C
ISO 3166 code:	CA-NU
Flower:	Purple saxifrage
Tree:	n/a
Bird:	Rock ptarmigan
Official Website:	www.gov.nu.ca

Google Map of Nunavut

---

List of municipalities in Nunavut

• Arctic Bay
• Arviat
• Baker Lake
• Cambridge Bay
• Chesterfield Inlet
• Clyde River
• Coral Harbour
• Gjoa Haven
• Grise Fiord
• Igloolik
• Iqaluit
• Kimmirut
• Kinngait

• Kugaaruk
• Kugluktuk
• Naujaat
• Pangnirtung
• Pond Inlet
• Qikiqtarjuaq
• Rankin Inlet
• Resolute
• Sanikiluaq
• Sanirajak
• Taloyoak
• Whale Cove

Main sights in Nunavut

List of the Largest Islands of Nunavut

Major Rivers of Nunavut

List of the Largest Lakes of Nunavut

---

References

1. ^ Population estimates, quarterly. Statistics Canada.