Geography and Topography:
– Baffin Island, also known as Qikiqtaaluk, is separated from mainland Quebec by Hudson Strait and from the Melville Peninsula by Fury and Hecla Strait.
– The island features the Baffin Mountains, with notable peaks like Mount Odin, Mount Asgard, and Mount Thor, known for the greatest vertical drop.
– Two largest lakes on the island are Nettilling Lake and Amadjuak Lake.
– Baffin Island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region and is surrounded by the Foxe Basin, Gulf of Boothia, and Lancaster Sound.
History and Exploration:
– Baffin Island has been inhabited for over 3,000 years by different indigenous groups, with the Thule people replacing the Dorset people around 1300 CE.
– Norse explorers like Erik the Red and Leif Erikson visited the island around 1000 CE, with archaeological evidence suggesting possible Viking presence.
– Bjarni Herjólfsson and Leif Erikson are among the early European explorers who may have encountered Baffin Island.
– The island’s history includes controversy over the origins of yarn-spinning technologies.
Wildlife and Predators:
– Baffin Island is home to diverse wildlife, including barren-ground caribou, polar bears, Arctic foxes, red foxes, Arctic hares, and Baffin Island wolves.
– Significant wildlife sanctuaries on the island include the Dewey Soper Migratory Bird Sanctuary and the Bowman Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
– Polar bears, red foxes, Arctic wolves, and Baffin Island wolves are prevalent predators on the island, with unique social hierarchies among Arctic wolves.
– Various bird species nest on Baffin Island, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and long-range travelers like the Arctic tern.
Climate and Geography:
– Baffin Island has a cold climate with long winters and foggy summers, experiencing polar night in winter and midnight sun in summer.
– The island’s climate is tundra, with some areas having an ice cap climate, and the Barnes Ice Cap has been retreating since the 1960s.
– The island lies mostly north of the Arctic Circle, with sea ice surrounding it most of the year and varying daylight hours throughout the year.
– The island’s northerly airflow contributes to its cold climate, with varying precipitation levels and temperature records.
Culture, Tourism, and Economic Resources:
– Baffin Island is part of Nunavut and home to indigenous Inuit communities with rich cultural traditions.
– Inuit culture is prevalent on the island, with hunting, fishing, and traditional activities playing essential roles.
– The island offers unique tourism opportunities, including wildlife viewing, cultural tours, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.
– Economic resources on Baffin Island include the Chidliak Kimberlite Province on the Hall Peninsula, known for diamond-bearing kimberlite.
Baffin Island in Popular Culture:
– Baffin Island has been featured in various films like ‘The White Dawn’ and ‘The Spy Who Loved Me,’ showcasing its stunning landscapes and cultural significance.
– The Baffin coastal tundra is a notable feature of the island, attracting attention in popular culture and environmental discussions.
Baffin Island (formerly Baffin Land), in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, is the largest island in Canada, the second largest island in the Americas (behind Greenland), and the fifth-largest island in the world. Its area is 507,451 km2 (195,928 sq mi) with a population density of 0.03/km2; the population was 13,039 according to the 2021 Canadian census; and it is located at 68°N 70°W / 68°N 70°W. It also contains the city of Iqaluit (with a population of around 7,000), which is the capital of Nunavut.
Native name: ᕿᑭᖅᑖᓗᒃ (Qikiqtaaluk) | |
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  Baffin Island  Baffin Island | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Northern Canada |
| Coordinates | 68°N 70°W / 68°N 70°W |
| Archipelago | Arctic Archipelago |
| Area | 507,451 km2 (195,928 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 5th |
| Highest elevation | 2,147 m (7044 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Odin |
| Administration | |
Canada | |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Largest settlement | Iqaluit (pop. 7,429) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 13,039 (2021) |
| Pop. density | 0.03/km2 (0.08/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Inuit (72.7%), non-Aboriginal (25.3%), First Nations (0.7%), Métis (0.5%) |