Qikiqtaryuaq

Coordinates: 68°43′17″N 102°02′12″W / 68.72139°N 102.03667°W / 68.72139; -102.03667[1]
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Qikiqtaryuaq
Native name:
Qikiqtaryuaq
Tourists exploring Jenny Lind Island, 2019
Qikiqtaryuaq is located in Nunavut
Qikiqtaryuaq
Qikiqtaryuaq
Qikiqtaryuaq is located in Canada
Qikiqtaryuaq
Qikiqtaryuaq
Geography
LocationQueen Maud Gulf
Coordinates68°43′17″N 102°02′12″W / 68.72139°N 102.03667°W / 68.72139; -102.03667[1]
ArchipelagoArctic Archipelago
Area420 km2 (160 sq mi)
Highest elevation80 m (260 ft)
Administration
Canada
TerritoryNunavut
RegionKitikmeot
Demographics
PopulationUninhabited

Qikiqtaryuaq, formerly Jenny Lind Island,[2] for the Swedish born opera singer, Jenny Lind, is a small island 420 km2 (160 sq mi) in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada. The island is located in the Queen Maud Gulf, about 120 km (75 mi) southeast of Cambridge Bay.

The island is the site of CAM-1A (Jenny Lind Island), a former Distant Early Warning Line site and home to the unmanned North Warning System site.

Geography[edit]

Sandy shoreline, 2019

Characteristics of the terrain include rocky ridges, low-lying wetlands, sedge meadows, and a sandy shoreline.

Fauna[edit]

Tourists searching for wildlife on Jenny Lind Island, 2019

Qikiqtaryuaq is a Canadian Important Bird Area (#NU088), and a Key Migratory Terrestrial Bird Site. Notable bird species include Canada goose, lesser snow goose, and Ross's goose.[3]

Muskoxen are found in the south east section of the island.

Climate[edit]

Climate data for Jenny Lind Island Airport (1961-1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) −5.1
(22.8)
−8.8
(16.2)
−7.8
(18.0)
2.8
(37.0)
6.1
(43.0)
18.3
(64.9)
22.8
(73.0)
20.6
(69.1)
15.0
(59.0)
6.0
(42.8)
0.6
(33.1)
−2.8
(27.0)
22.8
(73.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −26.1
(−15.0)
−17.3
(0.9)
−5.8
(21.6)
3.2
(37.8)
9.6
(49.3)
7.2
(45.0)
1.0
(33.8)
−7.5
(18.5)
−19.2
(−2.6)
−25.1
(−13.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −29.9
(−21.8)
−21.6
(−6.9)
−9.3
(15.3)
0.7
(33.3)
6.1
(43.0)
4.5
(40.1)
−0.9
(30.4)
−10.4
(13.3)
−22.7
(−8.9)
−28.6
(−19.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −37.2
(−35.0)
−37.4
(−35.3)
−34.6
(−30.3)
−26.1
(−15.0)
−13.0
(8.6)
−1.9
(28.6)
2.6
(36.7)
1.7
(35.1)
−3.0
(26.6)
−13.6
(7.5)
−26.7
(−16.1)
−33.2
(−27.8)
−18.5
(−1.3)
Record low °C (°F) −51.2
(−60.2)
−51.2
(−60.2)
−50.0
(−58.0)
−43.3
(−45.9)
−30.6
(−23.1)
−17.2
(1.0)
−2.8
(27.0)
−7.8
(18.0)
−16.7
(1.9)
−33.2
(−27.8)
−42.8
(−45.0)
−47.2
(−53.0)
−51.2
(−60.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.2
(0.09)
2.4
(0.09)
2.7
(0.11)
3.9
(0.15)
5.9
(0.23)
10.6
(0.42)
19.6
(0.77)
25.9
(1.02)
18.6
(0.73)
14.0
(0.55)
5.5
(0.22)
3.0
(0.12)
114.3
(4.50)
Source: 1961-1990 Environment and Climate Change Canada[4]

History[edit]

The island is uninhabited but still has an active North Warning System. Originally part of the Distant Early Warning Line, the site is known as CAM-1.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Qikiqtaryuaq". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  2. ^ "Jenny Lind Island". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada.
  3. ^ "Jenny Lind Island". Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Canada. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  4. ^ Environment and Climate Change CanadaCanadian Climate Normals 1961–1990. Retrieved 22 June 2011.