Cairn Island facts for kids
 Cairn Island
Location in Nunavut
Cairn Island
Location in Canada
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Frobisher Bay |
| Coordinates | 63°40′12″N 068°27′00″W / 63.67000°N 68.45000°W |
| Archipelago | Canadian Arctic Archipelago |
| Administration | |
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Canada
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| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Cairn Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the cold, northern part of Canada. It's one of many islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. This group of islands is found in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut.
Cairn Island is an offshore island of Baffin Island. It sits within Frobisher Bay. The island is about 10.3 kilometers (6.4 miles) southeast of Iqaluit. Iqaluit is the capital city of Nunavut.
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Exploring Cairn Island's Location
Cairn Island is part of a huge group of islands. These islands stretch across the northern part of Canada. This area is known as the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It's a very remote and icy part of the world.
Where is Frobisher Bay?
Frobisher Bay is a large inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. It cuts into the southeastern coast of Baffin Island. This bay is named after Martin Frobisher. He was an English explorer who sailed here in the 1500s.
Cairn Island is located in Nunavut. This is the largest and northernmost territory of Canada. Nunavut is mostly made up of islands. It is home to the Inuit people. They have lived in this Arctic region for thousands of years.
Why is Cairn Island Uninhabited?
Like many islands in the Arctic, Cairn Island is uninhabited. This means no people live there permanently. The Arctic climate is very harsh. Winters are long, dark, and extremely cold. This makes it difficult for people to live there.
Islands Near Cairn Island
Cairn Island is not alone in Frobisher Bay. Many other islands are found nearby. These islands form a scattered group within the bay. They are all part of the same Arctic environment.
A Look at Neighboring Islands
Some of the islands close to Cairn Island include:
- Aubrey Island
- Beveridge Island
- Bishop Island
- Coffin Island
- Crimmins Island
- Emerick Island
- Faris Island
- Gardiner Island
- Hill Island
- Jenvey Island
- Kudlago Island
- Long Island
- Mair Island
- McLaren Island
- Monument Island
- Pichit Island
- Ptarmigan Island
- Qarsau Island
- Sale Island
- Sybil Island
- Thompson Island
These islands are all part of the same unique Arctic ecosystem. They share similar landscapes and wildlife.
Wildlife in the Arctic Region
Even though Cairn Island is uninhabited by humans, it is home to various Arctic animals. The cold environment supports a unique range of wildlife. These animals are adapted to survive the harsh conditions.
Common Arctic Animals
Animals you might find in this region include:
- Polar bears: These large predators roam the ice and land.
- Arctic foxes: Small, clever hunters with thick white fur.
- Arctic hares: Large hares that change fur color with the seasons.
- Various seabirds: Many birds nest on the islands during the warmer months.
- Seals and whales: These marine mammals live in the waters around the islands.
These animals play an important role in the Arctic food web. They rely on the remote islands and surrounding waters for survival.
