15 Things You Didn't Know About Nunavut

Nunavut is a vast territory of northern Canada. It encompasses most of the Canadian Arctic, where the Inuit and other indigenous people dwell. Nunavut is well-known because of its capital, Iqaluit. This city is home to many breathtaking scenes that you can explore. Since Nunavut was officially recognized in 1999, there are several things that you might not know about this beautiful territory.

Exploring Nunavut

As a tourist, you must be equipped with some knowledge about the destination you are visiting. It will help you understand more about the place's history and even the community's culture and beliefs. If you are a travel photographer, camper, or someone who wants to venture in the vast North, then Nunavut could be your best pick. Its astounding beauty and vibrant culture have taken the hearts of many wanderers. Before you visit Nunavut, you may want to learn some facts about this territory.

#1 A taxi to anywhere in Iqaluit costs $7. Though it is quite challenging to go to Nunavut, you can still enjoy its cheap taxi rate. If you are in Iqaluit and you want to go to any part of the city, you only have to pay $7. It is a flat rate, meaning wherever you go to the town, the cab driver will only ask you $7.

#2 Beverages like soda are valuable commodities. To buy a bottle of soda in Nunavut, you may need to spend more than the standard price. It is because soda is an expensive commodity in this territory. Sellers find it hard to import drinks because Nunavut is a remote territory. Heavy cans and bottles of soda need to be carried through an airplane to reach Nunavut. Although there are sea lifts, they can only deliver the goods twice in the summer.

#3 Iqaluit is formerly known as Frobisher Bay. As mentioned earlier, Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut. Back in the day, it was called Frobisher Bay, named after Martin Frobisher. Frobisher was an English explorer who travelled to the Arctic in 1576.

#4 Nunavut has four official languages. These include English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun. In northern Canada, most of the locals there can speak Inuktitut. Inuit language is also spoken in some parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Quebec. 

#5 Nunavut means "our land." Nunavut is recognized as Canada's largest region by area. It encompasses almost two million square kilometres. Despite its large area, it has a small population. Most of Nunavut's population comprises the Inuit. The territory's official language is Inuktitut, which is taught in schools. In Inuktitut, the word "Nunavut" means "our land."

#6 Terrain vehicles outnumber Nunavut's cars. As a remote area, Nunavut has many places that are challenging to access. The territory only has under 32 kilometres of paved road. To get to your desired destination, you may need to ride an airplane or a boat during the summer. As lakes and rivers freeze in wintertime, you may need a dogsled or a snowmobile to go to a place.

#7 Andrew Qappik designed the flag of Nunavut. Andre Qappik is a famous printmaker and graphic artist who is now living in Panniqtuuq. He is well-known for his works that use traditional and contemporary themes. He designed the flag of Nunavut, which was officially adopted on April 1, 1999. The flag has four colours, blue, gold, red, and white. The blue and gold hues symbolize the riches of the land, sea, and sky. The red colour represents Canada. Nunavut's flag also has two figures, an inukshuk and a star. Inukshuks are stone monuments that serve as marks for sacred places. Meanwhile, the star signifies the Niqirtsuituq. It means "North Star," which serves as the traditional guide for navigation.

#8 The aurora borealis can be seen in Nunavut. Even though Nunavut is a remote area, many travellers still go to this territory. It is because this territory has spectacular locations that are ideal for camping, hiking, and aurora viewing. Aurora borealis, known as the northern lights, are visible in the Nunavut skies. This territory is one of the prime destinations in seeing the fantastic light display. The aurora borealis comes in various colours. In Nunavut, you can see the northern lights in shades of green. This natural wonder is a perfect photography subject or background, so make sure to bring a camera when you visit Nunavut.

#9 You can enjoy a lot of recreational activities in Nunavut. If you are following your wanderlust, then try to include Nunavut in your bucket list. Despite the territory's remoteness, there are many thrilling activities that you and your family can enjoy. Some of the popular things to do in Nunavut are cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. You may also enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, and river rafting. If you visit Nunavut in the summertime, then you may try camping, fishing, and hiking. Many travel photographers visit this territory to capture amazing scenes and feature the community's daily activities. If you are a photography enthusiast, this place is also highly recommended.

#10 You can find a lot of inukshuks in Nunavut. When you visit Nunavut, you will discover countless inukshuks in different spots. An inukshuk is a stone monument made of several stones piled on top of each other. Its primary purpose is to mark sacred places and to serve as a signpost for ideal fishing or hunting spots. These stone structures are made of stacked stones that aren't glued together. They stay up because the rocks fit together. If you find an inukshuk shaped like a human, you can call it inunnguat or inunnguaq, which means "imitation of a person." You can take pictures of these amazing stone monuments, but remember not to destroy them. It is because inukshuks have cultural meanings.

There are many things to love about Nunavut. Visiting this territory allows you to explore its unique culture and natural wonders. As a travel enthusiast, you can gain exciting adventures and memorable experiences that you can treasure for a lifetime.