Iqaluit (ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ in Inuktitut syllabics; formerly, Frobisher Bay, [1]) is the capital and largest settlement of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, and is located on a south-eastern inlet of Baffin Island. Population 7,100 as of 2008.
Iqaluit started life as the site of an American Air Force base in 1942.
In 1984 the settlement formerly known as Frobisher Bay changed its name back to Iqaluit. Iqaluit means place of many fish.
Iqaluit is generally accessible only by air and, under the right ice conditions, by sea. Iqaluit has no roads leading in or out and is the only Canadian capital not connected directly or by ferry with the North American highway system.
Canadian North[2] offers scheduled jet aircraft flights to / from Iqaluit and Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa. First Air[3] offers scheduled flights to/from Iqaluit and Montreal, Ottawa and Edmonton as well as many other far northern towns.
Air Canada had formerly operated non-stop service to Iqaluit (YFB) from Ottawa (YOW), via its regional carrier, Air Canada Jazz on Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ), but has discontinued this route as of August 1, 2011.
Crystal II - an ancient Inuit camping ground which has lasted for thousands of years, mainly because it is still used even this day. It is located near the end of the road towards the dump. You will need to have local assistance to find the site.
Nunavut Legislature - the location of Nunavut's legislative assembly. You may look around the main floor of the building, but be sure to announce yourself to the security guard before going too far. The main entrance of the Legislature has two spires of wood which resembles a Qamotiq, a type of Inuit dog sled.
St Jude's Anglican Cathedral - a white, domed and spired church building designed to resemble an igloo, the interior of which was recently (November 2005) destroyed by fire and has since been demolished. There are plans to rebuild the Cathedral in the future.
The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum - houses a large collection of Inuit and Arctic artifacts and art. It is on the beach in a white and red building.
Iqaluit Public Library - a public library which houses a very informative Nunavut tourism office. A smaller museum of Arctic animals is located in the building beside the tourism office.
The Baffin regional visitors center has information on the whole territory as well as displays on local wildlife and culture in an adjoining museum.
