The terms in the table all contain the same prefix circum. Based on your understanding of the words circumnavigate and circumference, write a definition for the term circumpolar in your own words.

[D]
Click for more information, 5 KB
Circumpolar Terminology

The countries of the North Circumpolar Region share many characteristics. Using Canada as a case study, we will examine the characteristics of the North Circumpolar Region and come to understand some of the challenges that these countries face and why cooperation between these countries is important.

Which countries make up the North Circumpolar Region?

You will record your answer to this question by labelling the countries of the North Circumpolar Region on your North Circumpolar Region outline map given to you by your teacher.

1. Follow these instructions carefully:

a. Go to the Atlas of Canada Web site located at atlas.gc.ca and click on the English button.
b. Find the Explore Our Maps menu on the left hand column of the page.
c. Move your cursor over Reference Maps, then click on International in the pop-out menu.
d. On the new page that appears, click on the link to the North Circumpolar Region Map.
e. View the map as a JPEG.

2. On your North Circumpolar Region outline map, label all the countries that lie between 60 degrees north latitude and the North Pole. (Hint: The Arctic Circle is located at 66½ degrees north latitude and the North Pole is located at 90 degrees north latitude).

Which provinces and territories are part of Canada’s North Circumpolar Region?(Hint: compare the North Circumpolar Region Map to a Political Map of Canada which may be found at Reference Maps » Canada » Political Divisions Map)

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

We will examine the geography of the North Circumpolar Region of Canada to gain a better understanding of what it means to live in this part of the world.

The North Circumpolar Region is centred around the North Pole. We will compare the number of populated places and the road network of this region of Canada with the southern regions of Canada.

1. Follow these instructions carefully:

a. Find the Explore Our Maps menu on the left hand column of the page.
b. Move your cursor over Reference Maps, then click on Canada in the pop-out menu.
c. On the new page that appears, click on the link to the Political Divisions (interactive) Map.
d. Click the Zoom In tool above the map (it contains a magnifying glass with a + sign).
e. Click once on the Northwest Territories.

2. Observe the number of populated places, the size of the populations and the road network. Write your observations below.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3. Click the arrow at the bottom of your map twice. What do you notice about the number of populated places, the size of the populations and the complexity of the road networks as you move south of the Northwest Territories? Write your observations below.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

4. Using your observations, put an X through the number next to the correct answer in each question below:

a. The North Circumpolar Region of Canada has

(1) more populated places than southern Canada.
(2) fewer populated places than southern Canada.
(3) the same number of populated places as southern Canada.

b. The population numbers of places in southern Canada are

(1) greater than the population numbers of the North Circumpolar Region of Canada.
(2) fewer than the population numbers of the North Circumpolar Region of Canada.
(3) the same as the population numbers of the North Circumpolar Region of Canada.

c. The road network in the North Circumpolar Region of Canada is

(1) less complex than the road network in southern Canada.
(2) more complex than the road network in southern Canada.
(3) just as complex as the road network in southern Canada.

d. Therefore we could say that the North Circumpolar Region of Canada is

(1) more accessible than regions in southern Canada.
(2) less accessible than regions in southern Canada.
(3) just as accessible as regions in southern Canada

Let’s look at why these patterns of populated places and road networks in Canada’s North Circumpolar Region exist. We will explore the physical (natural) and human characteristics of two communities in Nunavut. The physical characteristics will give us clues about the challenges people face living in this region. The human characteristics will give us an idea of how people have adapted to the challenge of living in this northern region.

1. Follow these instructions carefully:

a. Go to the Atlas of Canada home page.
b. Click the link to the Advanced Search.
c. Click the link to the Search for the location of a place on a map option.
d. Enter the place name Arctic Bay in the search box, then click the arrow symbol.
e. In the search results list that appears, find and write down the latitude and longitude of Arctic Bay, Nunavut.

Latitude (degrees north):

______________________________________

Longitude (degrees north):

______________________________________

2. As you can see, the hamlet of Arctic Bay is located in the North Circumpolar Region of Canada. Now, click the link of the name, Arctic Bay.

3. The map shows you where Arctic Bay is located on Baffin Island in Nunavut. Follow these instructions carefully:

a. Click on the Get Info from Map button above the map.
b. Scroll down and find the 1996 Population for Arctic Bay under People and Society. Fill in the population numbers in the table below under Human Characteristics.

4. On the left side of your screen, in the Learning Resources menu, click Facts About Canada:

a. On the new page that appears, click the link to the Nunavut Communities, 1999 page.
b. Find and click Arctic Bay on the map at the top of the page that appears (Hint: Arctic Bay is just about in the centre of the map).
c. This page about Arctic Bay will give you information with pictures about this community.
d. Read the information about Arctic Bay and complete the table below.

[D]
Click for larger version, 9 KB
Human and Physical Characteristics of Arctic Bay

5. Go back to the map of Nunavut on the Nunavut Communities, 1999 page and click on the name of the community of Kugluktuk in western Nunavut.

a. Read the first paragraph and fill in the blanks in the sentence that follows. The population of Kugluktuk is about _________________. There are _____ schools. The roads are not ______________. The roads in this region are gravel roads.

b. Read the third paragraph. List three things that people in Kugluktuk do to support their families.

(1) ________________________________________

(2) ________________________________________

(3) ________________________________________

c. Three examples of traditional food eaten by people in Kugluktuk are:

(1) ________________________________________

(2) ________________________________________

(3) ________________________________________

d. Read the fourth paragraph. Name three fun winter and two fun summer activities children like to do in Kugluktuk.

(1) ________________________________________

(2) ________________________________________

(3) ________________________________________

(4) ________________________________________

(5) ________________________________________

e. Read paragraph 5. Name the yellow and orange plants, the winter lights and two types of wild animals the people in Kugluktuk can see.

(1) Yellow and orange plants:

______________________________________

(2) Winter lights:

______________________________________

(3) Two types of wild animals:

______________________________________

The people who live in the North Circumpolar Region of Canada have adapted to the physical environment and depend on it for their livelihood. Who lives in this region and why?

1. Follow these instructions carefully:

a. Find the Explore Our Maps menu in the left-hand column of the page, move your cursor over People & Society.
b. Then click on Aboriginal Population in the pop-out menu.
c. On the new page that appears, click on the link to the Percentage of Aboriginal Population by Census Division, 1996 Map.

2. In which on the three of Canada’s territories is the percentage of aboriginal population:

a. the highest: __________________________________

b. the lowest: __________________________________

3. Follow these instructions carefully and answer the questions in 4, 5 and 6:

a. Click the Zoom In button above the map and then click on Nunavut.
b. Next, click on the Get Info from Map button above the map.
c. Click, one at a time, on one census division in each of the three territories and answer the questions below.

4. The main cultural group in Nunavut is _______________________

5. The main cultural group in Northwest Territories is ___________________

6. The main cultural group in Yukon Territory is _______________________

7. We have learned that some of the Aboriginal people who live in this region survive using traditional means. Other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people survive work at other activities such as mining, government jobs and service jobs. This region contains mineral wealth but it is not easy to mine in this region. Go to the following map to find why: Explore our Maps » Environment » Land » Permafrost Map.

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

8. Permafrost means that the ground remains below 0 degrees celcius for a long time. For example, the moisture in the soil and rocks is frozen. Look at the Permafrost Map and determine what is the type of permafrost in the North Circumpolar Region?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

9. Why does the permafrost make it difficult for mining, building roads and constructing buildings?

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________