Communities

TOTAL BAFFIN 15,009 - 2006 Census Nunavut Data

Arctic Bay is also known as Ikpiarjuk, “the pocketâ€?, because of the hills that surround it. Located on a small inlet, surrounded on three sides by high hills, Arctic bay offers a natural, protected harbour. Arctic bay is connected to the mine at Nanisivik by 21 km road. The world’s most northerly marathon is held here and attracts competitors form all over the world.

CAPE DORSET (Kingait) pop. 1236
The community of Cape Dorset lies on the northwest shore of Dorset Island.  Cape Dorset is often considered the Inuit art capital for its world famous prints. It’s Inuktitut name means “tip of the island.â€?

CLYDE RIVER (Kingiqlagaapik) pop. 820
Clyde River sits on flood plain and is the contact point for travel to Sam Ford Fiord and other fiords in central Baffin. There are opportunities to see narwhale, bowhead whales and polar bears.  Clyde River is on Baffin Island’s east coast in the shelter of Patricia Bay.

GRISE FIORD ( Aujuittuuq) pop.141
Canada’s most northerly community, Grise Fiord lies on the southern shores of Ellesmere Island in the far north.  It is considered the most picturesque plane in the Arctic with high hills, sweeping vistas and 24 hours of sunlight in the summer. Its Inuit name means, “place that never thawsâ€?.  Grise Fiord was established after the Canadian Government moved Inuit families there from Northern Quebec.

HALL BEACH ( Sanirajuk) pop. 654
Hall Beach lies on the shore of Foxe basin. For great fishing and the chance to see walrus, seals and other Arctic wide life Hall beach has few equals. Arctic Char can be caught from the shore in town and flocks of geese, swans, ducks and other waterfowl nest in the surrounding area.  This is an important hunting and camping site for the Thule and modern Inuit. The land around Hall Beach is flat and featureless.

IGLOOLIK pop. 1538 
Located on a small island in Foxe Basin, this traditional community offers interesting sites on land as well as the rare sight of nesting loons, ducks, and snowy owls in season. Sites of habitation date back 4000 years, and include examples of both Dorset and Thule cultures. Igloolik is often considered to be the cultural capital of Qikiqtani, because of the cultural continuity that has been preserved in traditions and language.

IQALUIT  (capital of Nunavut) pop.6184
Iqaluit, the largest city in Nunavut, is on the mouth of Frobisher Bay, overlooking Koojesse Inlet. Its name means “place of many fish�. Iqaluit is the hub of Qikiqtani, with north bound flights from Ottawa and Montréal. Iqaluit’s runway, the longest in the Canadian Arctic, also provides an ideal refueling spot for international flights.

KIMMIRUT pop. 411
The word Kimmirut means, “heals� and the community is named for the rocky outcrop in the shape of a human heel located about 60 meters across the water, facing the community. Kimmirut is well known as an art colony with its carvers producing some remarkable pieces, noted for the colour of stone and artistic merit.

PANGNIRTUNG pop. 1325
Pangnirtung is also known as the “place of bull caribou�. The hamlet of Pangnirtung is situated on the Pangnirtung Fiord, at the foot of Mount Duval and the mouth of the Duva River. At the opening of the fiord is the Cumberland Sound, well known by the old whalers for its bowhead whales. At the other end of the fiord is the Aksayik pass, which leads up into the Auyyittuq national Park. Many of its mountains ( Thor Asgard, etc) glacier ( Caribou, Turner, Penny ice cap, etc,) are world famous to hikers and mountain climbers.

POND INLET ( Mittimatalik) pop.1315
Pond Inlet is richly endowed with scenery, which includes mountains, glaciers and icebergs.  There is an abundance of marine wildlife to observe. The Community looks out on Eclipse Sound and the mountains and glacier of Bylot Island. Sirmilik National Park, known for its diverse bird sanctuary, glaciers, and mammal life provides an additional attraction. Both the Dorset and Thule people lived in the area for centuries leaving behind many interesting sites.

QIKIQTARJUAQ pop. 473
Qikiqtarjuaq, formally Brougthon island, sits off the west coast of Baffin Island. The wild life and scenery draws visitors from all over the world. Auyuittuq National Park is situated between Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung, which is world renowned with hikers and mountain climbers.  The view of the glacier topped fiord coast of Baffin Island with sightings of icebergs and whales is spectacular.

RESOLUTE BAY pop. 229
Resolute Bay, Canada’s second most northerly community, is located on the south coast of Cornwallis Island. Due to its ideal location it is often used as the base for all North Pole adventures. The Northwest Passage passes directly in front of the community and can be walked in the winter months. Resolute Bay was established after the Canadian Government moved Inuit families there from Pond Inlet and the Northern Quebec community of Inukjak.