Rae Strait facts for kids

Rae Strait is a small passage of water in Canada. It is located in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. This strait separates King William Island from the Boothia Peninsula. The Boothia Peninsula is part of the mainland. The strait is named after John Rae. He was a Scottish Arctic explorer. In 1854, he was the first European to visit this area. He was mapping the northern coast of North America.

Discovering Rae Strait

At first, people thought King William Island was connected to the mainland. They called it King William Land. On May 6, 1854, John Rae made an important discovery. He and his two friends reached a high point. This spot was on the western coast of Boothia. From there, they could see far to the west. They then realized King William Island was separate. It was not joined to the mainland.

Why Rae Strait Was Important

This discovery was very helpful for ships. King William Island protects the strait. It blocks too much pack ice from the north. Pack ice is large pieces of floating ice. This made the waters of Rae Strait easier to sail through. Even 19th-century ships could navigate here.

A Key Part of the Northwest Passage

The Rae Strait was very important for exploring the Arctic. It helped complete the famous Northwest Passage. The Northwest Passage is a sea route. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many explorers tried to find it.

Roald Amundsen's Journey

The Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen used Rae Strait. He sailed through it between 1903 and 1906. This helped him finish the Northwest Passage. Amundsen spent a winter in Gjoa Haven. This is a community on King William Island. After winter, he sailed along the Arctic coast. He then entered the Beaufort Sea. His journey showed that the Northwest Passage could be sailed.