Banks Island Attractions

This, the most westerly island of the Canadian archipelago, covers an area of 70,028 sq. km (27,038 sq. mi.), somewhat less than the Republic of Ireland. North to south it measures about 400 km (250 mi.) between latitudes 71° and 74° 309 north. Its coasts other than the north are free of ice in summer. In contrast to most islands on the archipelago there are very few fiords along its coastline, and the interior is not boldly formed, the landscape being in the main gently undulating with broad river valleys. Banks Island possesses rich tundra vegetation, home to many animals, especially 25,000 musk-oxen (Ovibus moschatus), the largest population of these all together anywhere in the world. The south-western part of Banks Island, equal to about one-third of the whole, is a bird sanctuary. About 100 km (60 mi.) of the Thomsen River can be navigated by raft.