Geography of The Northwest Territories - People and The Land

People and The Land

Geographically, the area is mainly south of the tree line, which runs roughly northwest to southeast, from the Mackenzie River delta in the Arctic Ocean into the Southeastern corner of the territory. Tundra is characteristic of the land north of the tree line; there the native people depend on hunting, arts and crafts making for an income fur-trapping, and obtaining many sources through fish, seals, reindeer, and caribou. The majority of the development in this area takes place south of the tree line, where the land is covered with soft woods and rich minerals. Also, two of the world's largest lakes (Great Slave and Great Bear) are located here. Great Slave Lake is the source of one of the world's longest rivers, the Mackenzie, that runs 1,120 miles(1,800 km) to its outlet at the Arctic Ocean. The Northwest Territories is the site of the northern end of Wood Buffalo National Park (est. 1922) and all of the Nahanni National Park (est. 1972).