Cliffs
Structured data on boundary coverage, terrain relief, and environmental features.
Aulavik National Park Detailed Geographic Profile and Mapped Regional Landscape Context
Examine the physical geography of Aulavik National Park located in the Northwest Territories of Canada. This profile details the 12,200 square kilometer boundary, lowland relief characteristics, and diverse regional features including the Thomsen River, Muskox River, and various coastal cliffs across Banks Island.
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Canada's Arctic polar desert protecting the world's northernmost navigable river and Earth's highest muskox population
Aulavik National Park
Aulavik National Park is a vast Arctic protected area spanning approximately 12,200 square kilometres on Banks Island in Canada's Northwest Territories. Established in 1992, the park protects a remarkable polar desert ecosystem at the northern end of this remote island, where the Thomsen River flows as one of the most northerly navigable waterways in North America. The park's name derives from Inuvialuktun, meaning "place where people travel," reflecting centuries of human presence in this harsh but ecologically significant landscape. Unlike typical forested parks, Aulavik is completely treeless, characterized by Arctic tundra, rolling upland plateaus reaching 450 metres above sea level, and dramatic coastal areas along the McClure Strait. The park represents one of Earth's most isolated and least-visited national parks, accessible only by chartered aircraft with just four landing sites serving as gateways to this remarkable wilderness.
- Location
- Canada
- Park type
- National park
- Established
- 1992
- Area
- 12,200 km²
Island Park Geography within the Canadian Northwest Territories
Exploring the Remote Geography of Aulavik National Park in Canada
- Countries
- Canada
- Regions
- Northwest Territories
- Primary location
- Northwest Territories
- Geographic setting
- Island
Exploring twelve thousand square kilometers of mapped protected land
Mapping the Boundaries and Spatial Limits of Aulavik National Park
- Boundary area
- 12,189.7 km²
- Boundary perimeter
- 633.6 km
- Northernmost point
- 74.4823° N
- Southernmost point
- 72.9474° N
- Easternmost point
- 117.6326° W
- Westernmost point
- 121.5866° W
- Geographic centre
- 73.7529° N, 119.595° W
- North–south span
- 171.3 km
- East–west span
- 123.8 km
Lowland relief profiles and recorded natural features
Aulavik National Park Terrain and Elevation Summary
- Maximum elevation
- 450 m
Selected named natural features
Streams
Baker Creek
Straits
M'Clure Strait
Rivers
Muskox River
Capes
Cape Vesey Hamilton
Bays
Mercy Bay
Polar climate, lowland relief, and tundra habitat profiles
Aulavik National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
- Relief
- Lowland
- Climate
- Polar
- Water
- Minor water
- Forest cover
- No forest cover
- Seasonality
- Strongly seasonal
Landscape features
Grassland · Steppe · Wetland · Rivers · Lakes · Coast
Habitat types
Tundra habitat · Riverine habitat · Coastal habitat
Map the surrounding Arctic landscapes and compare other remote Canadian protected areas, tracing their geographic spread and conservation value.
Discover More Arctic National Parks and Protected Areas Near Aulavik National Park
North
Zugvogelschutzgebiet Banks Island No. 2: Protected Tundra and River Valley Geography
High Arctic wildlife reserve in the Northwest Territories
This wildlife reserve protects the Thomsen River valley and coastal estuary, serving as a primary moulting ground for Arctic waterfowl. Its geography defines a unique convergence of riverine and upland tundra habitats within the broader protected landscape of the Canadian Northwest Territories.
- Area
- 170 km²
- Established
- 1961
- IUCN
- Ia
- Relief
- Lowland
South
Tuktut Nogait National Park: Northwest Territories Protected Landscape Atlas
Explore its mapped boundaries and regional geography.
Delve into Tuktut Nogait National Park, a protected national park situated within the vast geography of the Northwest Territories. This entry provides a focused view of the park's specific identity, its defined protected area boundaries, and its contribution to the regional landscape atlas. Understanding Tuktut Nogait National Park means grasping its geographic context and its role as a key natural landscape within the broader Canadian protected area network, ideal for detailed map-based study.
- Area
- 18,100 km²
- Established
- 1998
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 12 annual
Northeast
Qausuittuq National Park: Explore Nunavut's Protected National Park Landscape and Geography
Mapped protected area boundaries and regional geographic context.
Delve into Qausuittuq National Park, a key protected area in Nunavut offering rich opportunities for geographic exploration. This destination provides detailed mapping of its protected boundaries and a comprehensive overview of its landscape context within the Arctic region. Discover how Qausuittuq National Park contributes to the mapped protected lands of Canada, ideal for users seeking structured geographic data and atlas-style discovery.
- Area
- 11,000 km²
- Established
- 2015
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
- Upland
Southwest
Ivvavik National Park: Yukon National Park Protected Landscape and Geography
Explore mapped boundaries and regional context.
Ivvavik National Park is a designated national park within Yukon, representing a significant protected landscape. This page offers a focused exploration of its geographic identity, mapped boundaries, and its place within the broader atlas of Canada's natural areas. Understand Ivvavik National Park as a defined entity contributing to the regional geography and protected land distribution of Yukon.
- Area
- 10,168 km²
- Established
- 1984
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 179 annual
Southwest
Vuntut National Park: Yukon National Park Protected Area Map Exploration
Understanding its mapped protected boundaries and regional geography.
Delve into the specifics of Vuntut National Park, a designated national park situated within the Yukon region. This detail offers a focused look at its protected landscape identity, providing critical context for its geographic boundaries and role as a mapped natural area. Users can explore the core attributes of Vuntut National Park to enrich their understanding of its contribution to the protected lands atlas and regional geography.
- Area
- 4,345 km²
- Established
- 1995
- IUCN
- II
- Relief
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East
Sirmilik National Park: Nunavut National Park Atlas and Protected Landscape Map
Explore the geographic boundaries and regional context of Sirmilik National Park.
This entry provides detailed insights into Sirmilik National Park, a designated national park situated in Nunavut, Canada. It serves as a focal point for understanding the park's specific geography, its mapped protected landscape, and its role within the regional atlas. Users can explore the park's defined boundaries and its contribution to the broader landscape context of Nunavut, making it an essential destination for detailed geographic discovery.
- Area
- 22,200 km²
- Established
- 2001
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 6 annual
South
Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve: Mapped Protected Landscape in Northwest Territories
Explore its geographic boundaries and regional context.
Gain a structured understanding of Nááts'ihch'oh National Park Reserve, a significant protected national park within the Northwest Territories. This detail provides context for its geographical placement and the extent of its protected landscape, vital for anyone exploring the region's natural areas through maps and atlas data.
- Area
- 4,850 km²
- Established
- 2014
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 109 annual
Northeast
Quttinirpaaq National Park: A Detailed Look at its Protected Landscape and Nunavut Geography
Mapped boundaries and regional context for this significant Arctic national park.
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Quttinirpaaq National Park, a protected national park located in the expansive region of Nunavut, Canada. This resource delves into the park's geographic identity, its mapped contours, and its position within the broader arctic landscape context. It is designed to support atlas-based exploration and a detailed appreciation of this protected area's unique setting within Northern Canada's geography.
- Area
- 37,775 km²
- Established
- 1988
- IUCN
- II
- Visitors
- 7 annual
Continue Exploring Aulavik National Park's Geographic and Protected Landscape Details
Delve deeper into the specific geography and protected area characteristics of Aulavik National Park. Understanding its mapped boundaries and regional context is key to appreciating its role within the Northwest Territories. This focus provides valuable insights for anyone interested in the structured exploration of protected lands and their surrounding natural landscapes.
