Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories is a huge territory in northern Canada. It is bigger than many countries but has very few people. The region is known for stunning Northern Lights displays, vast wilderness, and frozen lakes. Yellowknife, the capital, is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis.

Land and People

Only about 45,000 people live in the Northwest Territories. The capital is Yellowknife. The territory has enormous forests, thousands of lakes, and tundra in the far north. Great Slave Lake is one of the deepest lakes in North America.

Culture and Fun Facts

The Northwest Territories has eleven official languages, more than any other place in Canada. Diamond mining is a major industry, and some of the world's finest diamonds come from here. Indigenous peoples, including the Dene, Inuit, and Metis, make up about half the population. In winter, some roads are built on frozen lakes and rivers.

Fun Facts

• The Northwest Territories has eleven official languages, the most of any Canadian province or territory.
• Ice roads in the Northwest Territories are built on frozen lakes and rivers and can only be used in winter.
• Yellowknife is one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights.

Did You Know?

In winter, trucks in the Northwest Territories drive on roads built right on top of frozen lakes and rivers. These ice roads are the only way to reach some remote communities.