Carved from the vast Northwest Territories, Nunavut is Canada's newest territory, spanning nearly 2 million square kilmeters, it's about the size of Western Europe. Officially established April 1, 1999, Nunavut is sparsely populated with just 25,000 residents, mostly Inuit. It boasts the coldest weather in Canada; summers last for just two months when temperatures reach an average of 48 degrees. Mining, fisheries, hunting, and a growing tourist industry are helping the new territory take shape. Nunavut's history can be traced back many generations before European settlers arrived, with its first settlers probably being nomadic bands who came from Siberia across the Bering Strait. Generations of tension between natives and Canadian government gave way to an election in 1982 when residents voted to create their own territory. Today, the new government of Nunavut is growing, looking to preserve its ancient customs and beliefs while forging ahead in Canada's new North.
