Northwest Territories

Quick Facts: Who was Northwest Territories?

Subject:

Northwest Territories

Known for:

Canada's second-largest and second-most populous northern territory.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Northwest Territories is a territory of Canada. At a land area of approximately 1,127,711.92 square kilometres (435,412.01 sq mi) and a 2026 estimated population of 45,904, it is the second-largest and second-most populous of the three territories in Northern Canada. Under its modern borders, the Northwest Territories consists of a large part of Denendeh—traditional land of the Dene—and most of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (known as Inuvialuit Nunangit Sannaiqtuaq in Inuinnaqtun)—traditional land of the Western Canadian Inuit.

Career & Major Achievements

The territory also contains some land traditionally used by Cree and Métis peoples. Its capital and most populous community is Yellowknife, the only city in the territory; its population was 20,340 as of the 2021 census.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

It became the territorial capital in 1967, following recommendations by the Carrothers Commission. The territory entered Canadian Confederation on July 15, 1870, replacing most of British North America's regions of North-Western Territory, Rupert's Land and, after 1880, the British Arctic Territories.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1870: 1870 Milestone — The territory entered Canadian Confederation on July 15, 1870, replacing most of British North America's regions of North-Western Territory, Rupert's Land and, after 1880, the British Arctic Territories.
2. 1967: 1967 Milestone — It became the territorial capital in 1967, following recommendations by the Carrothers Commission.
3. 2021: 2021 Milestone — Its capital and most populous community is Yellowknife, the only city in the territory; its population was 20,340 as of the 2021 census.
4. 2026: 2026 Milestone — 01 sq mi) and a 2026 estimated population of 45,904, it is the second-largest and second-most populous of the three territories in Northern Canada.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Northwest Territories

True or False: “True or False: The Northwest Territories was the most populous territory in Northern Canada before the creation of Nunavut.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While it was massive, the creation of Nunavut in 1999 significantly altered the demographic balance, and the NWT was not always the most populous entity in the region.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest Territories