Yukon Territory
Meaning `great waterŽ Territory of northwest Canada, bordered by the
Beaufort Sea to the north, the Northwest Territories to the east, British
Columbia to the south, and Alaska, USA to the west.
Area:
483,500 sq km/186,631 sq mi
Capital:
Whitehorse
Towns and Cities:
Dawson, Mayo
Physical:
Yukon River; Mount Logan, at 6,050 m/19,850 ft the highest point in
Canada
Features:
Klondike Gold Rush International Historical Park, which extends into
Alaska; Kluane National Park
Industries:
Gold, silver, lead, zinc, oil, natural gas, coal, timber, fur, fishing
Population:
(1996) 31,500, including 6,200 Native Canadians
History:
Settlement dates from the gold rush 1896-1910, when 30,000 people moved
to the Klondike river valley (silver is now worked there). It became
separate from the Northwest Territories in 1898, with Dawson as the
capital 1898-1951. Construction of the Alaska Highway during World War
II helped provide the basis for further development.
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