Written by Chloë Ernst and Bryan Dearsley

Aug 2, 2019

Officially established in 1999, Nunavut Territory is an administrative unit hived off from the former Northwest Territories. Nunavut covers the whole of the eastern section of northern Canada and is a wonderful place to learn about the attractions, history, cutlure, and nature of Canada's Far North.

With an area of 1.9 million square kilometers, Nunavut is almost eight times the size of the United Kingdom and comprises roughly one fifth of the total area of Canada. Its southern border is the 60th parallel, while the north extends to within about 800 kilometers of the North Pole. Most of the Territory is situated above the tree line, in a region of predominantly treeless tundra with dwarf shrubs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. Fjords cut deep inland from the coast.

Craft- and handicraft-based businesses have achieved extraordinary success here. Produced mainly in small workshops, the territory's leather goods, jewelry, and ivory work have great appeal for tourists visiting Canada. Hence, in addition to meeting the demand from the as-yet small number of tourists who visit the Far North, there is a lively "export trade" to the major tourist centers of the Canadian South, including Québec, Toronto, and Vancouver.

For inspiration when planning your northern Canadian adventure, refer to our handy list of the top tourist attractions in Nunavut.