The Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary is Canada's largest federally owned protected area, encompassing some 61,765 km2 (23,848 sq mi) of the Arctic Circle coastline. 6,710 km2 (2,590 sq mi) are marine, and 55,055 km2 (21,257 sq mi) are terrestrial.
Under the terms of the Ramsar Convention, it was designated as a wetland of international importance in 1982. It is the world's second-largest Ramsar Site. The majority of the park is lowlands and countless streams, ponds and shallow lakes. The land is mainly Arctic tundra and marshes.
In 1982, 450,000 geese, including the majority of the worlds Ross's Geese, nested in the sanctuary, one of the largest concentration of geese on Earth.
The park was established in 1961 under the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations of the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1917. It was named for Queen Maud of Norway.
Read more about Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary: Threats, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words queen, maud, gulf, bird and/or sanctuary:
“The Queen had one way of settling all difficulties, great or small. “Off with his head!” she said without even looking around.”
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)
“The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill,
And saw Maud Muller standing still.”
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)
“I candidly confess that I have ever looked on Cuba as the most interesting addition which could ever be made to our system of States. The control which, with Florida, this island would give us over the Gulf of Mexico, and the countries and isthmus bordering on it, as well as all those whose waters flow into it, would fill up the measure of our political well-being.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“Ah, like a comet through flame she moves entranced
Wrapt in her music no bird song, no, nor bough
Breaking with honey buds, shall ever equal.”
—Stephen Spender (1909–1995)
“There is immunity in reading, immunity in formal society, in office routine, in the company of old friends and in the giving of officious help to strangers, but there is no sanctuary in one bed from the memory of another. The past with its anguish will break through every defence-line of custom and habit; we must sleep and therefore we must dream.”
—Cyril Connolly (1903–1974)