Origin of the names of Canada’s provincial and territorial capitals | Natural Resources Canada Origin of the names of Canada’s provincial and territorial capitals Origin of the names of Canada’s provincial and territorial capitals Whitehorse, Yukon Ottawa, Canada The name Ottawa is derived from the Algonquin word “adawe”, which means “to trade”. The settlement was originally incorporated as Bytown in 1850. The name was changed to Ottawa in 1855. (Sources: Canadian Geographical Names Data Base, Geographical Names Board 18th Report) Find out more: Geographical name search results: Ottawa St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador There is some disagreement regarding the history behind how St. John’s acquired its name. The most widely accepted explanation comes from the Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real, who recorded the area as Rio de San Johem in 1519. The earliest recording of the modern day spelling came from an English merchant who travelled to Newfoundland in the 1570’s. Geographical name search results: Toronto Winnipeg, Manitoba The Cree named the lake to the north “Win” (muddy) and “nipee” (water).

In 1873, Winnipeg was incorporated as a city. (Source: City of Winnipeg ) Find out more: Geographical name search results: Winnipeg Regina, Saskatchewan Cree hunters stacked buffalo bones in the area of Regina, and named it Oskana-Ka-asateki or "the place where bones are piled." Early explorers, fur traders and settlers called the area “Pile of Bones.” It was decided in 1882 when the town began to grow that it required a more regal name. Princess Louise suggested that the town be named Regina in honour of her mother and the reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. Geographical name search results: Iqaluit Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Yellowknife acquired its name from the aboriginal group known as the “T'atsaot'ine”, or “Yellowknives”. It became the capital of the Northwest Territories in 1967. Known for its valuable minerals, it has the traditional name of Smbak'è, which means money place.

(Source: Canadian Geographical Names Data Base) Find out more: Geographical name search results: Yellowknife Whitehorse, Yukon Originally called White Horse, the name came from the foam in nearby rapids on the Yukon River which looked similar to the manes on white horses. Whitehorse was incorporated as a city in 1950, and replaced Dawson as the capital of the Yukon in 1953. (Sources: Canadian Geographical Names Data Base) Find out more: Yellowknife | Northwest Territories, Canada | Britannica.com Northwest Territories, Canada Yellowknife, city and capital (since 1967) of Northwest Territories , northwestern Canada . It lies on the north shore of Great Slave Lake , 5 miles (8 km) south of the mouth of the Yellowknife River. Yellowknife, on the Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Can. George Hunter It was founded in 1935, one year after gold was discovered in the area, and derived its name from the Yellowknife band of Athabascan Indians. During the early years of World War II , the demand for gold declined, and the city’s economy suffered.

Following a second major gold discovery in 1945, several large mines were in operation, although the last one closed in the early 21st century. Reserves of diamonds discovered in the surrounding region have been mined since the mid-1990s. In addition, tourism is of growing importance to the local economy. Power is provided in part by a hydroelectric station on the nearby Snare River. Buildings of central Yellowknife, southern Northwest Territories, Canada. Trevor MacInnis The city is the largest community and the chief administrative, commercial, and educational centre in the territories. Yellowknife is linked by highway around the lake southward to Hay River and to cities in Alberta . In winter these roads are supplemented by roadways across the frozen lake. Inc. city, 1970. Pop. (2006) 18,700; (2011) 19,234. Public ice road on Great Slave Lake near Yellowknife, southern Northwest Territories, Canada.

James Reeve/Corbis Yellowknife, Capital of the Northwest Territories Yellowknife, Capital of the Northwest Territories Key Facts About Yellowknife, the Capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada Yellowknife City Hall. All Canada Photos / Getty Images Updated: 12/30/2014 About the City of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories , Canada. Yellowknife is also the only city in the Northwest Territories. A small, culturally diverse city in the far north of Canada, Yellowknife combines all the urban amenities with memories of the old gold prospecting days. Gold and government administration were the mainstays of Yellowknife's economy until the late 1990s, when the fall of gold prices led to the closure of the two main gold companies and the creation of the new territory of Nunavut meant the transfer out of a third of government employees. The discovery of diamonds in the Northwest Territories in 1991 came to the rescue, and diamond mining, cutting, polishing and selling became major activities for Yellowknife residents. While winters in Yellowknife are cold and dark, long summer days with plenty of sunshine make Yellowknife a magnet for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers.

Location of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Yellowknife is located on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, on the west side of Yellowknife Bay near the outlet of the Yellowknife River. Yellowknife is about 512 km (318 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. Area of City of Yellowknife 105.44 sq. km (40.71 sq. miles) (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census) Population of City of Yellowknife 19,234 (Statistics Canada, 2011 Census) Date Yellowknife Became the Capital of the Northwest Territories 1967 Date Yellowknife Incorporated as a City 1970 Government of City of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Yellowknife municipal elections are held every three years, on the third Monday in October. Date of the last Yellowknife municipal election: Monday October 15, 2012 Date of the next Yellowknife municipal election: Monday October 19, 2015 Yellowknife's city council is made up of 9 elected representatives: one mayor and 8 city councillors.

About Yellowknife - City of Yellowknife About Yellowknife Contacts Situated on the Northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Founded in 1934, the city is located in the traditional territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation who founded the nearby community of Dettah in the early 1930s. The city of Yellowknife has its origins in gold mining and was designated as territorial capital in 1967. Since then the city has grown to around 20,000 residents and has become a cultural, economic and government services hub for the territory. Diamonds were discovered in the area in 1991, and with the founding of three operating diamond mines within short flights of Yellowknife, the city is once again getting in touch with its mining roots. Tourism, transportation, and communications are other significant Yellowknife industries. The Government of the Northwest Territories has released public information regarding arsenic in the environment around Yellowknife as a result of past mining activities. Here is a link to the information.

With its modern amenities and small town feel, Yellowknife has a number of interesting attractions, including the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, numerous walking trails, and the northern lights (aurora borealis), which are best seen between late August and mid-April. The city hosts a number of events, including the Frostbite 45 ski, the Diavik 150 Canadian Championship Dog Derby, and the SnowKing Winter Festival, which involves the construction of a snow castle on Great Slave Lake, where daily festivities include live music and children's programs. And every summer since 1980, Yellowknife has held Folk on the Rocks, an outdoor music festival featuring local, national and international musicians. Winter Hours effective following the Labour Day Weekend until prior to the Victoria Day Weekend (September to May) Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Closed Summer Hours effective following the Victoria Day Weekend until prior to the Labour Day Weekend (May to September) Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: Closed Municipal Enforcement (MED) - (867) 920-5630 After Hours (MED) - (867) 920-2737 After Hours (Public Works) - (867) 920-5699 Yellowknife NWT Capital of the Northwest Territories | Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures Contact Us About Yellowknife, NWT, Canada Yellowknife, capital of the Northwest Territories, is located on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, about 1500 km north of Edmonton, Alberta. This city of 18,000 has most big city amenities, and features spectacular wilderness right on its doorstep. In the summer you can be on the water in minutes, leaving from our Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures private wharf. In winter the lake becomes a vast playground for snowmobiles, dog teams and skiers. Summer days are long and glorious, with 22 hours of daylight and just two hours of dusk in June and July. The long days warm up the shallows of the big lake just enough for comfort on the water.

Choose a guided fishing or bird watching excursion, for a half-day, a day or more, and learn about our natural world. You won’t be disappointed. You will also enjoy our special Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures shore lunches and our unique “northern gourmet” dinner cruises. On winter nights the dancing northern lights can fill the sky with colour and movement. Yellowknife, with its usually fine, clear, winter weather is the best place in the world to see the lights directly overhead. Join a group of aurora watchers on snowmobiles, or go for a dogsled ride under the stars. There’s a wide choice of restaurants in the city, from elegant to family style, and there’s plenty of local music and entertainment in the evening year round. Dine out on fish fresh from Great Slave Lake, Arctic char, muskox or bison at restaurants in historic Old Town, or in downtown Yellowknife. Any time of year, tour the dome-shaped Northwest Territories legislature. Explore the riches of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre , a museum and archives that documents the exciting story of Canada’s North. Then fly with us.

Hop a float- or ski-equipped plane for a sightseeing tour to Nahanni or the storied East Arm with our expert guides. The shopping’s great in Yellowknife, where artists from across the North show and retail their wares. Look for excellent quality Inuit carvings, jewellery and Dene and Metis clothing with traditional beadwork or quillwork. Let us show you around the galleries. Yellowknife is the Diamond Capital of North America ™ and guests of Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures have the opportunity to purchase authentic Canadian diamond jewellery at special prices. Hotel & Flight booking, NWT-Wide Year round Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of products and services. We offer hotel bookings in Yellowknife and Inuvik from moderate to superior properties. Single, Double, Single Suite, Double Suite, Family Suites, Full Suites available (property dependent). Rooms start from $125 + tax per night. Northwest Territories Airfares We have local knowledge on the best ways to explore the rest of the Northwest Territories. Ask us about fares on commercial flights year round, so that you can experience more of what the NWT has to offer. Select a box below and click on it for complete details on day tours and packages.

Yellowknife - The Canadian Encyclopedia Yellowknife Yellowknife, NWT, incorporated as a city in 1970, population 19,234 (2011c), 18,700 (2006c). The City of Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories and the territory's only city. It sits on the Canadian Shield , on the north shore of Great Slave Lake , 512 km from the Arctic Circle and approximately 1,513 km north of Edmonton , Alberta. Due to its northerly location, Yellowknife is the Canadian city with the most hours of summer sunshine, averaging 1,030 hours per year. The city and Yellowknife Bay were named after the Yellowknives , a Dene band who lived on the islands of Great Slave's East Arm and travelled as far north as the Arctic coast to obtain copper for knives and other implements. They, in turn, acquired their name from the copper-bladed knives they carried. Settlement Aboriginal Settlement Yellowknife is situated in the territory of the Tlicho (Dogrib) , a Dene First Nations people who historically occupied the land between Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake .

The Tlicho were nomadic and relied on caribou as a source of food as well as material for clothing, shelter and tools. Although the Tlicho typically lived in small societies, they often gathered in larger groups for the spring and fall caribou hunt. European Settlement Peter Pond , a North West Company fur trader, was, as far as is known, the first non-Aboriginal person to reach Yellowknife, possibly in 1785 and almost certainly two years later. Yellowknife Bay appears on a map he produced in 1785, but there is no surviving record of his travels in that year, and he may have drawn that portion of his map from information provided by Dene trappers. He did establish a post named Fort Providence , 30 km southeast of the present city, in 1786. Fort Providence operated as an outpost camp for Fort Chipewyan (1778), on Lake Athasbasca in what is now northern Alberta , until 1823.

(Present-day Fort Providence, on the Mackenzie River , was built in 1869.) Sir Alexander Mackenzie visited Old Fort Providence in 1789, en route north in search of the river that bears his name, and Sir John Franklin followed in 1820, camping near the site of the present-day city on his way to the Arctic coast. However, aside from an occasional hunter, trapper or prospector who camped in the well-sheltered bay, the area had few other visitors. Dettah, a tiny Yellowknife Dene community 12 km southeast, was the only settlement in the area. The arrival of Europeans in the region brought diseases which severely affected the Aboriginal population. In addition, fur traders introduced European-manufactured goods to Aboriginal communities which altered their traditional patterns of life. For example, firearms and fishnets transformed hunting and fishing from a group activity to an individual one. Development Gold was first found near Yellowknife in 1898 by a prospector heading for the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon . The first free (i.e., visible) gold was not discovered until 1934.

That triggered a claim-staking rush which transformed a lonely bay into a frantic, overnight boomtown of shacks, tents and dugouts. Yellowknife's first successful gold mine, the Con Mine, went into production in 1938. Prior to the discovery of gold, the economy of the Yellowknife region was based on the fur trade . The opening of the Con Mine, however, began a boom which led to five more mines opening in the next 15 years. Mining supplanted the fur trade as the driving force of the economy, and by 1940 Yellowknife had a population of about 1,000. Although they were central to the fur trade, few Aboriginal peoples found work in the mining industry. Manpower demands of the Second World War shut down all mining operations except the Con Mine, but development resumed at the war's end. In 1948, the Giant gold mine became the second producing mine within the city limits. Workings of the huge Con Mine, 1,860 m deep, extended under most of the city and Yellowknife Bay almost to the community of Dettah.

In the words of local composer Robin Beaumont, for over 60 years Yellowknife was "a city where the gold is paved with streets." In 1986, the Giant Mine became one of fewer than a dozen gold mines in the world to produce 10,000 gold bricks. The Giant Mine was also the scene of what has been described as one of the bloodiest disputes in Canadian labour history. In September 1992, after the mine owners brought in replacement workers during a strike over stalled contract negotiations, a striking miner murdered nine men, six of them strikers who had crossed the picket line, when a bomb he set blew up the man-car they were riding, 225 m underground. Due to depleted reserves and high costs the Con Mine closed in 2003, and the Giant Mine closed the following year. Cityscape Yellowknife’s high-rises are by-products of the development-boom in the 1970s after the city was named the capital of the Northwest Territories in 1967, making it the centre of government and administration. The skyline features a number of high-rises.

The Centre Square condominium, at 20-storeys, is the tallest, followed by two commercial properties, the Scotia Centre and Precambrian Building, each at 11-storeys. Much of the city’s original architecture, featuring pioneer shacks and cabins, still exists alongside modern development. One of the challenges the city faces, along with other communities in northern Canada, is the cost of living. Housing can be prohibitively expensive. In October 2013, for example, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Yellowknife was $1,664, making it one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. For comparison, during the same month and year, other costly Canadian cities ranked lower: the average rent for a two-bedroom in Vancouver was $1,281, Calgary $1,224 and Toronto $1,213. Population The population is predominantly of European descent with those of British origin comprising the majority of that group. Roughly 25 per cent of the population is made up of Aboriginal peoples.

In addition, the population is relatively young with a median age of 32.6 — eight years younger than the national average — according to the 2011 National Household Survey. Economy and Labour Force Historically, the gold mining industry and government administration were the largest employers in Yellowknife. Although many government employees were transferred to the newly created territory of Nunavut in 1999, the majority of Yellowknife’s population continues to be employed in the public sector, with the Government of the Northwest Territories being the city’s single largest employer. By 2004, the last gold mine in Yellowknife had closed, but Canada's first diamond mines opened northeast of the city (Ekati in 1998, Diavik in 2003 and Snap Lake in 2008). The diamond mines have also brought secondary industries such as diamond polishing plants, and a diamond sorting and valuation facility. The city has trademarked the slogan, “Diamond Capital of North America.” Yellowknife is also the staging area for the exploration of base metals as well as oil and natural gas.

Tourism is an increasingly important sector of the economy with outdoor recreation (e.g., wildlife viewing, fishing, canoeing, hiking), the midnight sun during the summer, the Northern Lights in the winter and Aboriginal cultural events acting as tourist draws. In addition to government administration, Yellowknife is also the transportation and communications hub of the territory. The city’s remote location, specialized industries and high cost of living have resulted in a shortage of skilled labour. Although the average household income in Yellowknife is double the national average, Yellowknife households also spend 50 per cent more than the average Canadian home. Transportation Until 1960, Yellowknife was only accessible from the south by air, water and winter tractor train from Hay River, on the south shore of Great Slave Lake . The Yellowknife Highway, with a ferry across the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence , opened in that year. The Fort Providence ferry kept a channel open until an ice bridge could be established farther upstream. Goods were shipped in from the south by air during spring ice break-up on the Mackenzie River , which could take up to three to six weeks.

On 30 November 2012, the permanent cable-stayed Deh Cho Bridge was completed and replaced the previous ferry/ice bridge methods. Canadian Pacific Airlines (CPAL) constructed the Yellowknife Airport in 1944. The Department of Transport took over from CPAL in 1946 and added two new gravel runways to the original single strip. During this initial period, Northern Flights Limited and CPAL were the only carriers. As the hub of the territory, increased air traffic necessitated the building of a modern facility. A new terminal was constructed in 1963 and a new control tower added in 1972. The facility has undergone several phases of expansion and a major renovation was completed in 2006. Like air transport, trucking is a major Yellowknife industry. Winter roads, mostly over frozen lakes and rivers, fan out from Yellowknife after freeze-up and serve isolated mines like the Lupin gold mine and diamond fields in the Lac de Gras area. Yellowknife Transit operates the city’s local bus service. Communications Northern News Services publishes three local newspapers, the Yellowknifer, News/North and Deh Cho Drum.

A French-language paper, L’Aquilon, is also published in Yellowknife. Several radio stations serve the Yellowknife area. Television is offered by CBC North, and cable television via satellite. The nationally-distributed Up Here magazine is published in Yellowknife, as well. Government and Politics Yellowknife was first incorporated as a municipal district in 1953 and elected its first mayor, John G. McNiven, that year. In 1967, Yellowknife was named capital of the Northwest Territories when the federal government transferred some administrative control to the territory. The commissioner of the Northwest Territories and territorial government offices, who until that time were in Ottawa , were then moved north. Three years later, Yellowknife was incorporated as the Northwest Territories' first and only city. The Legislative Assembly building in Yellowknife is one of the newest legislatures in Canada. City Council is served by the mayor and eight councillors elected for three-year terms. Council is responsible for planning and zoning, land development, property taxes, transportation, parks and recreation, water and sewage as well as garbage disposal.

Cultural Life The log-built Wildcat Café was built in 1937–38, by pioneers William Wiley and Smokey Stout, and designated a heritage site in 1992. As one of the earliest buildings in the city, the Wildcat is a well-preserved example of early rustic architecture. The café served as a meeting point for prospectors, miners, pilots as well as residents until its initial closure in 1951. Yellowknife is also home to “Ragged Ass Road,” so-named by three locals, who put up a hand-painted sign after a night of drinking to describe the shanties in the area. It provided the inspiration for a Tom Cochrane album of the same name. The neighbourhood in which both these sites are located is called Old Town, and was where miners and prospectors first established themselves in the 1930s. Yellowknife has eight additional heritage sites including the Canadian Pacific Float Base, Weaver and Devore Store (Yellowknife’s oldest trading post), Hudson Bay Warehouse, Back Bay Cemetery, Fireweed Studio, Old Log School House, Bank of Toronto Building and the Yellowknife Post Office.

Yellowknife's Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre serves as the museum and archives for the territory. The Northern Frontier Visitors’ Centre features exhibits on Yellowknife’s history, mining and geology, Aboriginal culture and natural history. The Northern Arts and Cultural Centre is a theatre facility hosting local drama companies and visiting artists. As a city nestled in the wilderness, Yellowknife plays host to a number of outdoor activities and festivals throughout the year, including the Dog Island Film Festival and the Diavik 150 Canadian Dog Championship Dog Derby. Visitors can explore a number of hiking trails and waterfalls, ice fish and dog sled, as well as take in the magnificent Aurora Borealis. Yellowknife - Origin of Name Yellowknife By Susan Munroe Definition: Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories and its only city. Yellowknife is located on the north shore of Great Slave Lake and is just 512 km (318 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. Origin of the Name Yellowknife: The name Yellowknife comes from a Dene band, the Yellowknives, now long gone, who once lived on the islands in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake and carried knives with yellow copper blades.

Yellowknife, NT Map & Directions - MapQuest {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics Capital of the Northwest Territories and the province's largest city, Yellowknife enjoys the unique distinction of also being the most northern city in Canada, situated just below the Arctic Circle. The city garnered its name from a local tribe known as the Yellowknife Dene, who bartered tools crafted from copper. The area proved even richer in precious metals. Gold was found in 1934, and the city boomed from mining, followed by a later diamond-mining industry. When looking for things to do in Yellowknife, start at The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, on the shore of Frame Lake just north of Downtown. The modern building, distinguished by an enormous wall of windows, is a major Yellowknife attraction. The museum provides a rich history of the area, displaying depictions of the Yellowknife Dene and Inuit peoples as well as artifacts from early settlers. Right next door is the Northern Frontier Regional Visitor Centre, with exhibits that cover the area's history and ecology. For a glimpse of gold-mining life, stop into The Wildcat Café, one of the city's most popular sights.

The café's vintage log cabin was first opened in 1937 and has since been designated as a Yellowknife Heritage Building. The oldest restaurant in town, The Wildcat retains the rugged look of those early mining days, a time when many residents worked against the elements in an attempt to make their fortunes. Another look at the city's history can be found in the Old Town area, where a stone pillar—the Bush Pilot's Monument—pays tribute to the pilots who ferried passengers and freight throughout the Northwest Territories. Situated on a hill, the monument provides a stunning view of the surrounding area, from the shacks that formed part of the original town to the small bush-pilot outfits still operating out of Yellowknife. During the short summer season, Yellowknife is home to several lively festivals, most notably Folk on the Rocks, a music gathering held every year since 1980. With a slogan of “Where the road ends, the music begins,” the event showcases musicians from Northern Canada as well as other parts of the world. Also popular is Raven Mad Daze, a street festival celebrating the summer solstice. Even in the winter, Yellowknife residents find reasons to make merry.

The annual Snowking Winter Festival boasts a formidable snow castle that acts as a performance space for plays, puppet shows and even hockey games. Films are shown using the snow-packed walls as screens, always drawing a crowd for the Yellowknife attraction. Thanks to the city's unique geography, travellers will get a sense of the expanse of wilderness all around them, from the wide-open tundras to the many inlets of Great Slave Lake, while still maintaining a feel for the tight-knit community of Yellowknife. Whether taking in the mining-camp sights or watching puppets dance inside a castle made of snow, travellers to the Northwest Territories will find a bevy of unique things to do in Yellowknife. Discover Canada Discover Canada The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship Canada’s Regions Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship - Canada's Regions Duration: 14 minutes, 23 seconds. Read by Geraint Wyn Davies . Download this chapter: MP3 You can also download all of Discover Canada as a single file. The audio may take a moment to load. In order to maximize the functionality of this page, please turn on Javascript .

is now a tourist attraction and winter skateway [ See larger version ] Canada is the second largest country on earth—10 million square kilometres. Three oceans line Canada’s frontiers: the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and the Arctic Ocean to the north. Along the southern edge of Canada lies the Canada-United States boundary. Both Canada and the U.S.A. are committed to a safe, secure and efficient frontier The Regions of Canada Canada includes many different geographical areas and five distinct regions. The Atlantic Provinces The Northern Territories The National Capital Ottawa, located on the Ottawa River, was chosen as the capital in 1857 by Queen Victoria, the great-great-grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. Today it is Canada’s fourth largest metropolitan area. The National Capital Region, 4,700 square kilometres surrounding Ottawa, preserves and enhances the area’s built heritage and natural environment. Provinces and Territories Canada has ten provinces and three territories. Each province and territory has its own capital city. You should know the capital of your province or territory as well as that of Canada. Population Canada has a population of about 34 million people.

While the majority live in cities, Canadians also live in small towns, rural areas and everywhere in between. Peggy’s Cove harbour, Nova Scotia Ottawa: The Capital of Canada The Atlantic provinces Atlantic Canada’s coasts and natural resources, including fishing, farming, forestry and mining, have made these provinces an important part of Canada’s history and development. The Atlantic Ocean brings cool winters and cool humid summers. Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly point in North America and has its own time zone. In addition to its natural beauty, the province has a unique heritage linked to the sea. The oldest colony of the British Empire and a strategic prize in Canada’s early history, the province has long been known for its fisheries, coastal fishing villages and distinct culture. Today off-shore oil and gas extraction contributes a substantial part of the economy. Labrador also has immense hydro-electric resources. Prince Edward Island Prince Edward Island ( P.E.I. ) is the smallest province, known for its beaches, red soil and agriculture, especially potatoes. P.E.I. is the birthplace of Confederation, connected to mainland Canada by one of the longest continuous multispan bridges in the world, the Confederation Bridge.

Anne of Green Gables, set in P.E.I. by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is a much-loved story about the adventures of a little red-headed orphan girl. Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is the most populous Atlantic Province, with a rich history as the gateway to Canada. Known for the world’s highest tides in the Bay of Fundy , the province’s identity is linked to shipbuilding, fisheries and shipping. As Canada’s largest east coast port, deep-water and ice-free, the capital, Halifax, has played an important role in Atlantic trade and defence and is home to Canada’s largest naval base. Nova Scotia has a long history of coal mining, forestry and agriculture. Today there is also off-shore oil and gas exploration. The province’s Celtic and Gaelic traditions sustain a vibrant culture. Nova Scotia is home to over 700 annual festivals, including the spectacular military tattoo in Halifax. New Brunswick Situated in the Appalachian Range, the province was founded by the United Empire Loyalists and has the second largest river system on North America’s Atlantic coastline, the St. John River system. Forestry, agriculture, fisheries, mining, food processing and tourism are the principal industries.

Saint John is the largest city, port and manufacturing centre; Moncton is the principal Francophone Acadian centre; and Fredericton, the historic capital. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province, and about one-third of the population lives and works in French. The province’s pioneer Loyalist and French cultural heritage and history come alive in street festivals and traditional music. Central Canada More than half the people in Canada live in cities and towns near the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec and Ontario, known as Central Canada and the industrial and manufacturing heartland. Southern Ontario and Quebec have cold winters and warm humid summers. Together, Ontario and Quebec produce more than three-quarters of all Canadian manufactured goods. Quebec Nearly eight million people live in Quebec, the vast majority along or near the St. Lawrence River. More than three-quarters speak French as their first language. The resources of the Canadian Shield have helped Quebec to develop important industries, including forestry, energy and mining. Quebec is Canada’s main producer of pulp and paper. The province’s huge supply of fresh water has made it Canada’s largest producer of hydro-electricity. Quebecers are leaders in cutting-edge industries such as pharmaceuticals and aeronautics.

Quebec films, music, literary works and food have international stature, especially in La Francophonie, an association of French-speaking nations. Montreal, Canada’s second largest city and the second largest mainly French-speaking city in the world after Paris, is famous for its cultural diversity. Ontario At more than 12 million, the people of Ontario make up more than one-third of Canadians. The large and culturally diverse population, natural resources and strategic location contribute to a vital economy. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the country’s main financial centre. Many people work in the service or manufacturing industries, which produce a large percentage of Canada’s exports. The Niagara region is known for its vineyards, wines and fruit crops. Ontario farmers raise dairy and beef cattle, poultry, and vegetable and grain crops. Founded by United Empire Loyalists, Ontario also has the largest Frenchspeaking population outside of Quebec, with a proud history of preserving their language and culture. There are five Great Lakes located between Ontario and the United States: Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan (in the U.S.A. ) and Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.

The Prairie Provinces Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are the Prairie Provinces, rich in energy resources and some of the most fertile farmland in the world. The region is mostly dry, with cold winters and hot summers. Manitoba Manitoba’s economy is based on agriculture, mining and hydro-electric power generation. The province’s most populous city is Winnipeg, whose Exchange District includes the most famous street intersection in Canada, Portage and Main. Winnipeg’s French Quarter, St. Boniface, has Western Canada’s largest Francophone community at 45,000. Manitoba is also an important centre of Ukrainian culture, with 14% reporting Ukrainian origins, and the largest Aboriginal population of any province, at over 15%. Saskatchewan Saskatchewan, once known as the “breadbasket of the world” and the “wheat province,” has 40% of the arable land in Canada and is the country’s largest producer of grains and oilseeds. It also boasts the world’s richest deposits of uranium and potash, used in fertilizer, and produces oil and natural gas. Regina, the capital, is home to the training academy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Saskatoon, the largest city, is the headquarters of the mining industry and an important educational, research and technology centre. Alberta Alberta is the most populous Prairie province. The province, and the world-famous Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains, were both named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Alberta has five national parks, including Banff National Park, established in 1885. The rugged Badlands house some of the world’s richest deposits of prehistoric fossils and dinosaur finds. Alberta is the largest producer of oil and gas, and the oil sands in the north are being developed as a major energy source. Alberta is also renowned for agriculture, especially for the vast cattle ranches that make Canada one of the world’s major beef producers. The West Coast British Columbia is known for its majestic mountains and as Canada’s Pacific gateway. The Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and busiest, handles billions of dollars in goods traded around the world. Warm airstreams from the Pacific Ocean give the B.C. coast a temperate climate. British Columbia British Columbia ( B.C. ), on the Pacific coast, is Canada’s western most province, with a population of four million.

The Port of Vancouver is our gateway to the Asia-Pacific. About one-half of all the goods produced in B.C. are forestry products, including lumber, newsprint, and pulp and paper products—the most valuable forestry industry in Canada. B.C. is also known for mining, fishing, and the fruit orchards and wine industry of the Okanagan Valley. B.C. has the most extensive park system in Canada, with approximately 600 provincial parks. The province’s large Asian communities have made Chinese and Punjabi the most spoken languages in the cities after English. The capital, Victoria, is a tourist centre and headquarters of the navy’s Pacific fleet. The Northern Territories The Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon contain one-third of Canada’s land mass but have a population of only 100,000. There are gold, lead, copper, diamond and zinc mines. Oil and gas deposits are being developed. The North is often referred to as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” because at the height of summer, daylight can last up to 24 hours. In winter, the sun disappears and darkness sets in for three months. The Northern territories have long cold winters and short cool summers.

Much of the North is made up of tundra, the vast rocky Arctic plain. Because of the cold Arctic climate, there are no trees on the tundra and the soil is permanently frozen. Some continue to earn a living by hunting, fishing and trapping. Inuit art is sold throughout Canada and around the world. Yukon Thousands of miners came to the Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s, as celebrated in the poetry of Robert W. Service. Mining remains a significant part of the economy. The White Pass and Yukon Railway opened from Skagway in neighbouring Alaska to the territorial capital, Whitehorse in 1900 and provides a spectacular tourist excursion across precipitous passes and bridges. Yukon holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada (-63°C). Mount Logan, located in the Yukon, is the highest mountain in Canada. It is named in honour of Sir William Logan, a world-famous geologist, born in Montreal in 1798 to Scottish immigrant parents.

Logan founded and directed the Geological Survey of Canada from 1842 to 1869 and is considered one of Canada’s greatest scientists [ See larger version ] Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories ( N.W.T. ) were originally made up in 1870 from Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory. The capital, Yellowknife (population 20,000), is called the “diamond capital of North America.” More than half the population is Aboriginal (Dene, Inuit and Métis). The Mackenzie River, at 4,200 kilometres, is the second-longest river system in North America after the Mississippi and drains an area of 1.8 million square kilometres. Nunavut Nunavut, meaning “our land” in Inuktitut, was established in 1999 from the eastern part of the Northwest Territories, including all of the former District of Keewatin. The capital is Iqaluit, formerly Frobisher Bay, named after the English explorer Martin Frobisher, who penetrated the uncharted Arctic for Queen Elizabeth I in 1576. The 19-member Legislative Assembly chooses a premier and ministers by consensus.

The population is about 85% Inuit, and Inuktitut is an official language and the first language in schools. (From left to right) An Inuit boy in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, uses a pellet gun to hunt for birds The caribou (reindeer) is popular game for hunters and a symbol of Canada’s North Yellowknife | Define Yellowknife at Dictionary.com Yellowknife noun 1. a city in and the capital of the Northwest Territories, in N central Canada, on Great Slave Lake. Northwest Territories noun, (used with a singular verb) 1. a territory of Canada lying N of 60 degrees N and extending E from the Yukon Territory to Nunavut. 519,732 sq. mi. (1,346,106 sq. km) Capital: Yellowknife. British Dictionary definitions for Yellowknife Expand noun 1. a city in N Canada, capital of the Northwest Territories on Great Slave Lake. Pop: 16 055 (2001) Northwest Territories plural noun 1.

a territory of NW Canada including part of Victoria Island and several other islands of the Arctic; comprised over a third of Canada's total area until Nunavut became a separate territory in 1999: rich mineral resources. Pop: 42 810 (2004 est). Area: 2 082 910 sq km (804 003 sq miles) NWT Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Expand Northwest Territories definition Territory in northern Canada made up of several administrative districts, which include all the areas to the north of sixty degrees latitude between Hudson Bay and the Yukon and all the islands in Hudson Bay. Very sparsely populated, these territories make up more than one-third of Canada's total area.

Note: In 1998, Canada carved a homeland for the Inuit people, known as Nunavut (“Our Land”), from the Northwest Territories. The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Question: Which of the territories of Canada has the city of Yellowknife as its capital ?
Answer: THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES