Travel SPANS THREE TIME ZONES Comprising nearly one-fifth of Canada’s land mass, Nunavut is so vast that it is larger than France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom combined. About 45% is mainland. The rest is an archipelago of mostly uninhabited islands.The distance between north and south Nunavut is nearly the same distance as from Toronto to Calgary, while its length is equivalent to the distance between London and Istanbul. Nunavut is not a driving destination. No roads, trains or ferries connect Nunavut’s 25 communities. Access is by air year-round, and by sea in the summer. We arrived in the capital Iqaluit after a three-hour flight from Ottawa. Regularly scheduled flights to Nunavut also depart fromMontréal, Winnipeg, Churchill, Calgary, Edmonton and Yellowknife. For local transportation, residents and tour operators use vehicles and boats, as well as dogsleds, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles for short distances. NUNAVUTExperience the fascinating culture, landscapes and natural treasures of Canada’s Eastern Arctic Discovering If you looked at a map of Canada created before 1999, you would not find Nunavut (pronounced Noo-na-vut). Every year on July 9, the 33,300 residents of the new territory (formerly the eastern 60% of the Northwest Territories) celebrate Nunavut Day with special events and their gold-and-white flag. Featuring a red inukshuk – a human-shaped traditional rock monument – and the blue North Star, the flag symbolizes the richness of their land, sea and sky and the leadership of their community elders. What drew us to Nunavut? Its scenery ranges from wildflower-strewn tundra to glacier-capped mountains and whimsically shaped icebergs. The vibrant culture encompasses arts, crafts, music, dancing and festivals. Activities abound, from bird-watching and hiking to exploring historical and archaeological sites. Above all, the people are welcoming and happy to share their rich heritage with visitors. Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll Barb & Ron publish the trip-planning website www.KrollTravel.com 16 | www.snowbirds.org
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