The territory contains the former Keewatin and Franklin districts of the Northwest Territories, includes Baffin Island and seven of Canada's twelve largest islands, two thirds of its coastline, and stretches almost to the North Pole. Most of the territory is flat tundra, snow covered most of the year, above the tree line with stunted vegetation of lichen and grasses. Wildlife includes white fox, caribou, seals, and a wide assortment of birds during the summer. The prominent fish are Whitefish and Arctic char. Nunavut has a harsh, desert climate, with less than 10 inches of precipitation per year, mostly as snow.
Winter lasts nine months.
Iqaluit is the largest community in Nunavut, with a population of 3,600, located approximately 2,000 kilometers from Ottawa. The northernmost community in Nunavut is Grise Fiord. It has a population of 130 people. Although Nunavut is a public government, open to and representing all of its residents, because the Inuits comprise 85 per cent of the population it is effectively self governed by the Inuit, reflecting their culture and heritage. An elected Legislative Assembly, a Cabinet and a territorial court will be the primary institutions of public government.