Northwest territories

Northwest Territories is one of the three federal territories of Canada. Located in the northern part of the country, it is bordered by Yukon to the west, Nunavut to the east, and the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan to the south.

History

The Northwest Territories was created in 1870 from the Hudson's Bay Company's Rupert's Land and North-Western Territory. The territory was originally vast, encompassing most of central and northern Canada. However, it was reduced in size over the years as new provinces and territories were created, with the most recent change occurring in 1999 when Nunavut was created.

Geography

The Northwest Territories encompasses a large portion of northern Canada, with a diverse geography that includes the Mackenzie Mountains, the Great Bear Lake, and the Great Slave Lake. The territory also includes part of the Arctic Archipelago, with numerous islands in the Arctic Ocean.

Demographics

As of 2021, the population of the Northwest Territories is approximately 45,000. The largest community is the capital, Yellowknife, which is home to over half of the territory's population. The Northwest Territories is known for its cultural diversity, with eleven official languages including Chipewyan, Cree, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, Tłı̨chǫ, English, and French.

Economy

The economy of the Northwest Territories is largely based on natural resources, with significant industries in mining, oil and gas extraction, and forestry. The territory is known for its diamond mines, which are among the largest in the world.

Government

The Northwest Territories has a unique form of government that combines elements of a parliamentary system with consensus government. The Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories is made up of 19 members, who are elected by the residents of the territory.

See also

• List of communities in the Northwest Territories
• List of premiers of the Northwest Territories
• List of lieutenant governors of the Northwest Territories