Thor Island (Nunavut) facts for kids
 Thor
Location in Nunavut
Thor
Location in Canada
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Northern Canada |
| Coordinates | 78°12′N 103°00′W / 78.200°N 103.000°W |
| Archipelago | Queen Elizabeth Islands Canadian Arctic Archipelago |
| Area | 123 km2 (47 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
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Canada
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| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Thor Island is a small island located in the far north of Canada. It is part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, a huge group of islands in the Arctic Ocean. Thor Island is found in Nunavut, which is Canada's largest and northernmost territory.
This island is special because no people live there. It is one of many uninhabited islands in the cold Arctic region.
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Thor Island: A Northern Outpost
Thor Island is a quiet, frozen place. It is named after the Norse god Thor, known for thunder. The island is quite small, covering an area of about 123 square kilometers (about 47 square miles). To give you an idea, that's roughly the size of a medium-sized city.
Where is Thor Island?
Thor Island is located in the Queen Elizabeth Islands, which are the northernmost part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It lies south of a larger island called Ellef Ringnes Island. These islands are very far north, close to the North Pole.
- Location: Northern Canada, within the Arctic Circle.
- Coordinates: About 78 degrees North latitude and 103 degrees West longitude. This means it's very far north!
- Archipelago: Part of the Queen Elizabeth Islands and the larger Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
Life in the Arctic
Even though Thor Island is uninhabited by humans, it is part of an ecosystem. The Arctic environment is very harsh. Winters are long, dark, and extremely cold, with temperatures often dropping far below freezing. Summers are short and cool, with 24 hours of daylight.
- Climate: Polar climate, meaning very cold and dry.
- Landscape: Likely covered in ice and snow for most of the year. The ground underneath is permafrost, which is permanently frozen soil.
- Wildlife: While specific animals on Thor Island aren't listed, Arctic islands can be home to animals like polar bears, Arctic foxes, and various birds during the summer. Marine life, such as seals and whales, might be found in the surrounding waters.
Thor Island belongs to Nunavut, Canada's newest and largest territory. Nunavut was created in 1999. It is home to the Inuit people, who have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years. Most of Nunavut's land is covered by tundra, a treeless plain where only small plants can grow.
- Territory: Nunavut, Canada.
- Region: Qikiqtaaluk, one of Nunavut's three administrative regions.
Exploring the Arctic
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago, including islands like Thor Island, has been explored over centuries. Early explorers faced incredible challenges due to the extreme cold and ice. Today, scientists continue to study these remote areas to understand climate change and Arctic ecosystems.
- Research: Scientists might visit islands like Thor to study the environment, ice patterns, and wildlife.
- Importance: The Arctic region plays a big role in the Earth's climate system.
No People Live Here
Thor Island is an uninhabited island. This means it has no permanent human residents. Many islands in the far north are uninhabited because of the very cold climate, lack of resources, and difficulty of travel. These islands remain wild and untouched, providing important habitats for Arctic wildlife.
