"The Nunavut Capital" Iqaluit by jamiesno

Iqaluit Travel Guide: 63 reviews and 132 photos

Quick Synopsis

Me in Iqaluit (pronounced: Ee-qa-loo-eet)

I was fortunate to visit this far north destination for work attending a tradeshow called the Nunavut Tradeshow. It's a display of everything Canada's newest territory had to offer.

I even got to fly relatively direct with just one stop from Happy Valley - Goose Bay into Kuujjuaq, Quebec.

I spent an entire week there attending the tradeshow and exploring the town and nearby Apex. As you can see in the pictures it was the middle of winter but I wouldn't have enjoyed it any other way in such a northern destination!

Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay) is Inuktitut for 'place of many fish'. It is located near the mouth of the Sylvia Grinnell River that empties into Frobisher Bay - named after Martin Frobisher who sailed into the bay in search of the Northwest Passage.

Frobisher believed that he had discovered gold on an island in the bay, but it was only fools gold that he took home to England.

Thoughts on Iqaluit with some other info!

City Scene

I have to say for me Iqaluit was a great experience, despite living in a northern climate in Labrador there was still much to learn in this further north environment!

Ranging from government, to politics, to art, to culture and way of life! I hope you enjoy all my photos and tips on Iqaluit!

April 19, 2001 - Iqaluit receives it's Order of Official Status as a City

In December 1995 Iqaluit was selected by a plebcite of the residents of Nunavut to be the Capital of the new Territory. On April 19th 2001 Iqaluit received the order of City status making in the most northerly Capital City in Canada.

Although Iqaluit is the smallest Capital in Canada with only 6000 residents, it is the largest community in Nunavut, almost three times the size of the next largest Rankin Inlet, with 2200 people, and growing at a pace double that of Southern Canada. Iqaluit is a transportation hub for jet flights from our National Capital, Ottawa, Montreal, Yellowknife, Rankin Inlet and Greenland, as well as daily services between other Nunavut communities.

Infrastructure and services found in other cities can also be found here, some may not be in the form that might be expected elsewhere but they are here just the same; services such as a Hospital, Legislative Assembly, College campus, International airport, walking trails, museum, visitor services, research facilities, hotels and restaurants, theatre, swimming pool, racquet club, curling and ice arenas. Also, as is the case in other Capital Cities, services, government and government agencies and industry groups representing the territory have offices located here. The City also has imagery and information services, Arts and Crafts, and other displays representative of many of the areas and special qualities of the Nunavut Territory.

Pros and Cons

Pros:The Inuit people and remoteness.
Cons:Very expensive to travel to and stay in Iqaluit.
In a nutshell:I challenge you to try your best to experience such remote towns! It's worth the effort!

Last visit to Iqaluit: May 2004
Intro Updated Dec 18, 2004
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Reviews (55)

Drum Dancers Things to Do (14)

Like throat singing, drum dancing is equally as impressive. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy this now on a couple... more travel advice

Throat Singing Things to Do (14)

Throat singing is a must see if you are in Iqaluit. It is like a competition between two singers to sing the longest.... more travel advice

Unique Character Favorites (18)

There is a local person in Iqaluit that likes to dress up as cartoon characters and is often in a mask, possibly a cape... more travel advice

Legislative Assembly Tip #10 Favorites (18)

Directly in front of the legislature you will see a nice rock carving however you will also see on the back of this rock... more travel advice

Nightlife (2)
See All The Royal Canadian Legion
Local Customs (2)
See All Local Carvers
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Tarr Inlet Trail
Transportation (5)
See All The Yellow Submarine!

Restaurants (4)
See All The Fantasy Palace
Shopping (5)
See All An Ajagaak: Traditional Inuit Game
Hotels (2)
See All The Discovery Lodge
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Comments (34)

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Jim_Eliason Nov 19, 2008 at 7:43 PM

Nice tips!
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heidi1270 Aug 21, 2008 at 4:57 AM

Hi Jamiesno - I have been enjoying your photographs of Iqaluit. I lived there when it was Frobisher Bay and worked at the old airport and the "Yellow Submarine". The airport opened in 1986 - I had been working there before being posted in Montreal. Heidi
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kenHuocj Jul 17, 2007 at 11:35 AM

Top page on Iqualuit ;-)))
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janetanne Aug 3, 2006 at 7:54 AM

Absolutely amazing and so informative about places that most Vters would never have the opportunity to visit! Your descriptions make it all come alive.
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Sharrie Dec 16, 2005 at 7:06 PM

Impressive! I've wanted to see Nunavut since I found the Nunavut gift shop in Toronto waterfront. Gd to hear there are polar bears here. When is the best time to visit the bears? I know they have them in Churchill but the tours are highly expensive!
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whitecliff62 Nov 21, 2005 at 11:39 AM

Hi Jamie, lovely looking place, but boy does that look cold Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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easyoar Apr 3, 2005 at 9:24 AM

Great page! Now if I can just teach my missus to throat sing, it may stop her talking...
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Paul2001 Mar 11, 2005 at 12:01 PM

This is an amazing and highly informative page.
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BerniShand Feb 17, 2005 at 11:40 PM

a really interesting page, ld have no need to play dead if l met a Polar bear, ld faint on the spot !
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nighthawk Dec 27, 2004 at 4:36 PM

throw my food and then play dead ... ;-)that s what i would do .. learned lots tonight! eyes are wet now .. cause it s late! tx 4 the tons of info!