Somerset Island facts for kids
Somerset Island is a large island located in the cold northern parts of Canada. It is part of a group of islands known as the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Imagine a big collection of islands in the Arctic Ocean, and Somerset Island is one of them!
This island is found across a narrow stretch of water called the 2 km wide Bellot Strait. On the other side of this strait is the Boothia Peninsula, which is part of mainland Canada. Somerset Island is located in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, Canada. Nunavut is a huge territory in northern Canada, known for its vast, wild landscapes.
Discovering Somerset Island
Somerset Island is a truly massive piece of land. It covers an area of about 9,570 square miles (24,786 km²). To give you an idea of its size, this makes it the 45th biggest island in the entire world! It's also Canada's twelfth biggest island, showing just how large it is compared to other islands in the country.
Who Lives on Somerset Island?
Even though Somerset Island is very large, it is completely uninhabited. This means that no people live there permanently. The island's harsh Arctic climate, with very cold winters and short, cool summers, makes it a difficult place for humans to live all year round.
Where is Somerset Island Located?
Somerset Island is a key part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. This huge group of islands is located in the Arctic Ocean, north of mainland Canada. The island sits just off the Boothia Peninsula, which is a large landmass connected to the rest of Canada. The narrow Bellot Strait separates the island from the peninsula. This strait is an important waterway for ships traveling through the Arctic.
The island is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region within Nunavut. Nunavut is the largest and newest territory of Canada, created in 1999. It is home to many Inuit people and covers a vast area of the Canadian Arctic.
