Natural Resources Canada

A drainage basin is the area that drains all precipitation into a river or stream system into a common outlet such as a lake or sea. There are two main river basins in Nunavut: the Thelon River flows into Hudson Bay and the Back River empties into the Arctic Ocean. Most of Nunavut’s area is not...

A geological province is an extensive region characterized by rocks and structures of varying types and ages. Canada has seventeen geological provinces consisting of a shield, platforms, orogens and continental shelves. Nunavut includes four of the geological provinces: Innuitian Orogen, Arctic...

Nunavut’s cold climate makes it a territory consisting of mostly barren land and permafrost. Permafrost is soil or rocks whose temperature remains at or below the freezing point for a long period of time. Glaciers, a mass of snow and ice that does not melt from year to year prevail in the...

Nunavut lies in the Arctic, where cold temperatures mean that snow can fall at anytime in the year. Typically the ground is snow covered from September until June. Most of Nunavut has a dry Arctic climate receiving less than 200 centimetres of snow annually.

Surficial Materials are unconsolidated earth deposits of various origins. This map shows the distribution of surficial materials in Nunavut, on land and in extensive offshore areas.

Ecozones are one of several levels of ecological regions that cover all of Canada. An ecozone is a discrete system, which has resulted from the mesh and interplay of geology, landform, soil, vegetation, climate, wildlife, water and human factors. Four of the fifteen terrestrial ecozones of Canada...

Bird sanctuaries areas of importance for the protection of migratory birds, their nests, and eggs. Nunavut has an abundance of sites favourable to the migratory habits of several bird species.

The Government of Canada’s objective is to have a park representing each of Canada’s 39 natural regions. Nunavut has three National Parks. Public appreciation and enjoyment through education are encouraged as long as they do not affect the ecological integrity of the park.

National Wildlife Areas conserve essential wildlife habitats. There are two National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut: Nirjutiqavvik and Polar Bear Pass. While most human activities are prohibited, permits can be issued for activities that are compatible with conservation.

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries are areas set aside by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) of Environment Canada to protect migratory birds. The sanctuaries include a range of habitat types, such as terrestrial, wetland and marine.

National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas form a countrywide network of areas set aside by Canada for their great natural interest. They are protected for public understanding, enjoyment and appreciation.

National Wildlife Areas consist of land or water areas set aside to protect essential wildlife habitats. The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada establishes and manages these areas to conserve essential wildlife habitats.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are representative terrestrial or coastal ecosystems of the Earth. They are established by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) to promote biodiversity conservation and are viewed as model areas of sustainable development. Tourism is an important activity in many...