Knowra Arctic Archipelago Arctic Archipelago The Arctic Archipelago is a vast group of islands north of mainland Canada, bounded by the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay. It includes Ellesmere, Baffin, and Victoria islands and forms much of the Canadian Arctic.
Canadian Arctic Archipelago : The island region of northern Canada extending from the mainland toward the Arctic Ocean. The broader Canadian island region includes this archipelago and adjacent northern islands.
Arctic sea ice : Sea ice that forms and persists in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding waters. Seasonal and long-term ice conditions govern access among the islands.
Inuit Nunangat : The Inuit homeland in Canada, comprising four regions across the Arctic and subarctic. Much of the archipelago lies within Inuit homelands and communities.
Arctic amplification : The faster rate of warming in the Arctic than the global average. Amplified warming is altering the archipelago’s sea ice, glaciers, and permafrost.
Sirmilik National Park : A national park in northern Baffin Island, Nunavut, protecting Arctic landscapes and wildlife. Its glaciers, fjords, and coastal habitats exemplify the archipelago’s eastern scenery.
Ellesmere Island : Canada’s northernmost major island, in Nunavut near Greenland. Its northern position anchors the archipelago’s farthest reaches.
Arctic Ocean currents : The circulation of seawater through the Arctic Ocean and its connecting seas. Currents transport water and sea ice through the archipelago’s channels.
Northwest Passage shipping : Commercial and other vessel traffic using Arctic routes through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Changing ice conditions affect the feasibility and risks of passage through its channels.
Permafrost : Ground that remains at or below freezing for at least two consecutive years. Thawing permafrost threatens buildings, roads, and landscapes across the islands.
Quttinirpaaq National Park : A national park in northern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, and one of Canada’s most northerly protected areas. It protects the archipelago’s high-Arctic terrain and wildlife.
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