Winter Island (Nunavut) facts for kids
A closeup map showing Winter Island
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 Winter
Location in Nunavut
Winter
Location in Canada
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Northern Canada |
| Coordinates | 66°16′N 083°04′W / 66.267°N 83.067°W |
| Archipelago | Canadian Arctic Archipelago |
| Administration | |
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Canada
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| Territory | Nunavut |
| Region | Qikiqtaaluk |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Winter Island is a small, empty island located in the far north of Canada. It's part of a huge group of islands called the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. This island is found in a large body of water known as Foxe Basin, within the Qikiqtaaluk area of Nunavut.
The island is separated from the Melville Peninsula by a narrow waterway called Lyon Inlet. To its northwest is another strait, the Hoppner Strait. Even though it's uninhabited today, Winter Island has a cool history. An explorer named William Edward Parry spent the winter here way back in 1821 during his search for the Northwest Passage.
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Exploring Winter Island's Location
Winter Island is located in a very cold part of the world, high up in the Canadian Arctic. It's part of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, which is a massive group of islands in northern Canada. Imagine a giant puzzle made of ice and land – that's kind of what this archipelago is like!
Where is Winter Island exactly?
- It sits in the Foxe Basin, a large body of water that's often covered in ice.
- To the northwest, you'll find the Hoppner Strait. This is a narrow passage of water.
- The island is south of a bigger piece of land called the Melville Peninsula.
- A waterway called Lyon Inlet separates Winter Island from the Melville Peninsula.
Why is it called Winter Island?
The name "Winter Island" probably comes from the fact that it's a place where winter conditions are very harsh and long. It's located far north, so it experiences extreme cold and lots of snow and ice for most of the year.
A Glimpse into History: William Edward Parry
Winter Island might be empty now, but it played a small part in the history of Arctic exploration. In 1821, a famous British explorer named William Edward Parry spent the winter on this very island.
Who was William Edward Parry?
William Edward Parry was a brave naval officer and explorer. He was known for his attempts to find the Northwest Passage. This was a sea route through the Arctic that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Many explorers tried to find it because it would make trade routes much shorter.
Parry's Winter on the Island
During his second Arctic expedition, Parry and his crew had to find a safe place to spend the long, dark winter. They chose Winter Island. Imagine being stuck on a remote, icy island for months! They had to deal with freezing temperatures and limited daylight. This stop was an important part of their journey as they continued their search for the elusive Northwest Passage.
Template:Islands of the Qikiqataaluk Region
