Northwest Territories (Canada) Coat of Arms Tile

The Northwest Territories is one of three federal territories of Canada. The Northwest Territories entered the Canadian Confederation July 15, 1870, but the current borders were formed April 1, 1999, with the creation of Nunavut. It had a population of 41,462 as of the 2011 census, showing little change from the 2006 census. In 1967, as a result of recommendations by the Carrothers Commission, Yellowknife became the capital. While neighbouring Nunavut is mostly Arctic tundra, the Northwest Territories has a slightly warmer climate and is mostly boreal forest (taiga), although about half of the territory is north of the tree line.