Clyde River, Nunavut, also known as Kanngiqtugaapik in Inuktitut, meaning "nice little inlet," is a charming Inuit hamlet nestled on the shore of Patricia Bay on Baffin Island. This community, part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada, is situated off Kangiqtugaapik, an arm of the Davis Strait. The hamlet is nestled within the Baffin Mountains, a segment of the Arctic Cordillera mountain range.
Clyde River is located on a flood plain, surrounded by breathtaking fjords that extend into the Barnes Ice Cap. The mountains, icebergs, and glaciers in the Clyde River area attract rock and ice climbers from around the world. The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including barren-ground caribou, narwhals, polar bears, and other sea mammals. The proposed "Igaliqtuuq National Wildlife Area," a protected sanctuary for bowhead whales, is located in nearby Isabella Bay.
Clyde River is home to Piqqusilirivvik, Nunavut's Inuit Cultural Learning Centre. Since opening its doors in May 2011, Piqqusilirivvik has been a hub for cultural education and preservation.
According to the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Clyde River had a population of 1,181 living in 258 of its 278 total private dwellings. This represents a 12.2 per cent increase from its 2016 population of 1,053. With a land area of 103.38 km2 (39.92 sq mi), it had a population density of 11.4/km2 (29.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Since 2005, the community has been served by the Qiniq network, a fixed wireless service that connects homes and businesses to the outside world via a satellite backbone. The network, designed and operated by SSI Micro, was upgraded to 4G LTE technology and 2G-GSM for mobile voice in 2017.
Clyde River experiences a tundra climate (ET) characterized by short but cool summers and long, cold winters. Despite the harsh climate, the beauty and cultural richness of Clyde River, Nunavut, make it a unique destination worth exploring.
