BAFFIN ISLAND
Part of Nunavut, Baffin Island is one of the most remote places in North America. At 500,000 square km (193,000 square miles), the island is the fifth largest on the planet, with more than 60 percent of its landmass lying above the Arctic Circle. Sparsely populated, the island is inhabited by just 11,000 people, 9,000 of whom are Inuit. Most people live in one of eight settlements scattered throughout the island, the chief of which is Iqaluit, capital of the territory of Nunavut.
With its spectacular fjords and knife-edged mountains sparkling with glaciers, Baffin Island offers a chance to experience all the outdoor activities of the Arctic. Canoeing, kayaking, trekking, and thrilling walks are all unbeatable here. Many of the activities often take place in the company of abundant wildlife, including polar bears and whales.
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11,400.
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Nunavut Tourism, Iqaluit
Tel: (1 866 686 2888). -
Toonik Tyme (Apr), Iqaluit; Alianait Festival (Jun), Iqaluit.
- www.nunavuttourism.com
While tourism to Nunavut increases every year, the only access to these remote settlements is by air, which is very expensive compared to mainline routes. Despite the cost, however, every community has its own airport.
Inuit hamlet of Pangnirtung on Baffin Island
This little town of 1,300 residents sits at the southern end of the Pangnirtung Fjord, the 100-km (62-mile) hiking trail which is the most popular on Baffin. Some of the cliff faces here are more than 1,500 m (4,921 ft) high.
Iqaluit
Iqaluit is the gateway to exploring Baffin Island. Selected as the capital for the new territory of Nunavut, the little town has an Inuit population of about 60% and is a useful service center.
Auyuittuq is the third-largest national park in Canada at 21,470 sq km (8,300 sq miles). It is one of the few national parks with land above the Arctic Circle. A spectacular destination, the park displays a pristine wilderness of mountains, valleys, and fjords. In spring the meadows thaw out from under their snowy coverlets, and wildflowers burst into bloom. Within the park, wildlife abounds, with animals ranging from snow geese and arctic foxes to polar bears sharing the territory. Even in the brief summer, the weather can be tricky, with the risk of snow. Be prepared for cool weather, though temperatures can rise. The nearby town of Pangnirtung is a craft center.
