The Games > Contingents > Yukon Territory
Yukon
has been a permanent member of the Arctic Winter Games since 1970 and
has participated in every Arctic Winter Games. Yukon borders Alaska
to the west, the Northwest Territories to the east, British Columbia
to the south and the Arctic Ocean to the north. This westernmost territory
is landscaped by a high plateau and mountain topography typical of the
Western Cordillera. The Kluane National Park, which contains the continent’s
highest range of mountains- the St. Elias, is located in Yukon. Yukon
became part of the vast Northwest Territories in 1870, after Canada
purchased the interest of the Hudson's Bay Company from Great Britain.
Then, in 1898, the Klondike Gold Rush brought major changes. After discovering
placer gold in the creeks around Dawson City, the territory’s population
ballooned to more than 40,000 and Yukon became a separate territory.
The next big boom to hit Yukon was the construction of the Alaskan Highway
during the Second World War. Yukon remains famous for its gold rush
and wartime stories. Tourism and government services are now the main
source of the territory’s economy, although it still contains a wealth
of untapped mineral resources. Approximately two-thirds of Yukon’s population
lives in Whitehorse, while the remaining one-third is divided between
a dozen small communities. Aboriginal people account for about 20 per
cent of the territory’s population.
Yukon Territory Facts
| Area | 483,450 sq. km |
| Population | 31,000 |
| Capital | Whitehorse |
| More Information | Travel Yukon Territory |
| Number of participants at the 2006 Arctic Winter Games | 344 |
| Team Website | Team Yukon |
