Iqaluit, Nunavut, the capital city of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, is a place of many fish, as its Inuktitut name suggests. Known as Frobisher Bay from 1942 to 1987, Iqaluit is the northernmost city in Canada. Despite its isolation and dependence on expensive imported supplies, Iqaluit has grown into a vibrant city with a rich history and a unique blend of traditional Inuit and modern Canadian cultures.
Iqaluit has been a traditional fishing location for the Inuit and their predecessors, the Paleo-Eskimo (Dorset culture) and Thule, for thousands of years. The city's history took a turn during World War II when the United States built Frobisher Bay Air Base there, leading to an influx of non-Inuit to the area. The city's first permanent resident was Nakasuk, an Inuk guide who helped United States Army Air Forces planners choose a site suitable for a landing strip.
In 1949, the Hudson's Bay Company moved its south Baffin operations to the neighbouring valley of Niaqunngut, officially called Apex, to use the airfield. The population of Frobisher Bay increased rapidly during the construction of the Distant Early Warning Line (DEW line), a system of defensive radar stations. By 1957, 489 of the town's 1,200 residents were reported to be Inuit.
On 1 January 1987, the name of the municipality was changed from "Frobisher Bay" to "Iqaluit". In the non-binding 1995 Nunavut capital plebiscite, the residents of what would become the new territory selected Iqaluit to serve as the future capital. On 19 April 2001, it was designated a city.
The history of Iqaluit, Nunavut, is marked by significant events, from the arrival of Englishman Martin Frobisher in 1576 to the visit of Pope Francis in 2022. The city has evolved from a traditional fishing location to a major air base during World War II, and eventually to the capital of Nunavut.
Iqaluit is located in the Everett Mountains, which rise from Koojesse Inlet, an inlet of Frobisher Bay, on the southeast part of Baffin Island. It is well to the east of Nunavut's mainland, and northeast of Hudson Bay.
Iqaluit has a tundra climate typical of the Arctic region, featuring long, cold winters and brief, cool summers. Average monthly temperatures are below freezing for eight months of the year. Iqaluit averages just over 400 mm (16 in) of precipitation annually.
Iqaluit's architecture is functional, designed to minimize material costs while retaining heat and withstanding the climate. The city is also the location of the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, which houses a large collection of Inuit and Arctic objects.
Iqaluit is home to several neighbourhoods and suburbs, including Apex (Niaqunngut), a small community about 5 km southeast from Iqaluit's centre.
Iqaluit boasts a variety of attractions, from the Nunavut Legislative Assembly Building adorned with Inuit art to the distinctive blue and white Inuksuk High School. The city is also home to the Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park and the Qaummaarviit Territorial Park.
As of the 2021 Canadian census, the population of Iqaluit was 7,429, a decrease of 4.0 per cent from the 2016 census. Iqaluit has the lowest population of any capital city in Canada. Inhabitants of Iqaluit are called Iqalummiut.
Iqaluit's infrastructure includes Qikiqtani General Hospital, the primary care facility in the city, and Iqaluit Airport, a modern facility with a runway long enough for most modern jet aircraft. The city is generally only accessible by aircraft and, subject to ice conditions, by boat.
The city's infrastructure is stressed by growth and lack of means to upgrade. Waste from the city is disposed of into an open-air dump, and raw sewage from the city is often dumped untreated into nearby Frobisher Bay.
Discover the unique blend of history and natural beauty in Iqaluit, Nunavut, a city that continues to grow and evolve despite its challenges.
