Yukon Territory, Canada

The Yukon territory is a political region in the northwestern most corner of Canada covering more than 186,000 square miles (more than 482,000 square meters). It is one of three territories in Canada, along with Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. The territory's population is 33,897. Whitehorse is the largest city and capital of Yukon with a metropolitan area of nearly 23,000. Dawson City is the second largest city in Yukon with a population of approximately 1,300. Dawson City served as the capital of the Yukon territory until 1952.

The highest mountain in Yukon is Mount Logan at 19,550 feet (5,959 meters). The second tallest mountain in Yukon is Mount Saint Elias, located on the border between Yukon and Alaska. At 18,008 feet (5,489 meters) Mount Elias is not only the second tallest mountain in Yukon but also the second tallest in Canada. In fact, all but 1 of the 10 tallest mountains in Canada are in the Yukon territory.

The coldest temperature ever in Canada was in Snag, Yukon, on February 3, 1947. On that day it reached -81.4 °F (-63 °C). This is also the coldest temperature ever recorded in North America (not including Greenland).

The Klondike gold rush was one of the most important points in the Yukon's history. After gold was discovered in Bonanza creek in 1896, as many as 40,000 people hurriedly came to Yukon to strike a fortune in gold. Today, though the Yukon is no longer in the midst of a gold rush, mining of a variety of minerals is still the largest industry. Tourism, is the second largest industry. The First Nations peoples are an important part of Yukon with 14 different First Nations governments located within the territory.



Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada in 2008.


Forty Mile historic site, Yukon, Canada in 2006. Photo Credit: Maedward


Bonanza Creek, Yukon Territory, Canada in 2005. Photo Credit: Janothird

Tombstone Mountains, the Yukon, Canada. Photo Credit: David Adamec