The Northwest Territories of Canada are often referred to as the “land of adventures”. Within its 440,000 square miles you will find lakes, rivers, national parks and several islands including Victoria Island, Ganks Island and Prince Patrick Island. Mount Nirvana is the highest point with elevation of 9,098 feet. There are less than 45,000 people living in this province.
Although it sounds like a wilderness, the Northwest Territories have various pockets of civilization such as the capital, Yellowknife, which boasts 18,700 inhabitants. There are small to medium communities sprinkled throughout the province; in fact, there are 33 official cities and towns. Points of interest include the Great Bear Lake, the largest in Canada, as well as Keller Lake and the Great Slave Lake. Tourists and residents alike also enjoy the MacKenzie River. There are beautiful national parks and several islands off the coast to explore.
The climate in the Northwest Territories varies from north to south. Summer temperatures in south are about 68° with lows of 50°. Winters are long and cold, -4° to -22°. In the north summers are short and cool with daytime highs in the mid-teens and lows in the single degrees. Winters are harsh and long with highs of about -4° and lows around -40°. However, summer temperatures in the north can climb up to 97° with the nights in the negatives. As you can see, there is quite a range of temperatures that you’ll want to consider before a visit or when deciding where to move.
Houses in the Northwest Territories average around $250,000 but there are homes for less as well as those that are more expensive. Rentals range from $900 to about $1500 per month.
The economy depends on natural resources like gold, diamonds, petroleum and natural gas. Northwest Territories diamonds are heavily promoted as alternatives to the blood diamonds of Africa. The province has the highest per capita GDP in Canada, $76,000 as of 2009.
Tourism provides a lot of revenue. People come to see the free range bison, cruise the lakes, fish and relax in the peace and quiet. Every visitor is awed by the northern lights in autumn and winter. There are 6 airports to take tourists and residents wherever they wish to travel. You’ll find music and art festivals, whitewater rafting and kayaking, guided tours and river expeditions. There is golfing, hiking, bird watching, dogsledding and the famous ice road adventures from January through March. You can ski, snowmobile and snowshoe, too. Many people enjoy the winter lodges, which range from simple cabins to luxurious rooms with spa services. Once you’re settled in you can skate, ice-fish, take a dog sled expedition, ski or enjoy other winter recreation.
The Northwest Territories is a wide-open, incredibly beautiful place to live or visit with a good education and health care system and enough activities to keep anyone busy and loving life.
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