Yellowknife

Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories of Canada, located on the Great Slave Lake. Its proximity to the Arctic Circle gives it a unique and storied history, with strong ties to northern Aboriginal groups and the fur trade. Although it has less than 20,000 permanent inhabitants, it is considered a city with vibrant cultural life, with arts and music organizations and festivals. Winter activities such as dog sledding and snowshoeing are popular, as are summer activities such as kayaking, fishing and boating. The Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, is a regular feature in the skies above Yellowknife, and Natural Resources Canada has established an Aurora Viewing Station here. Tourists can explore a number of heritage sites in the city, including the adjacent Thelon Woods, an area dedicated to the preservation of a vast boreal forest. Many of the city and its wildlife can be experienced on Yellowknife's downtown waterfront boardwalk, which is also a great spot for birdwatching.