Pangnirtung, Nunavut

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Pangnirtung (or Pang, also Pangniqtuuq, in syllabics: ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᖅ) is an Inuit hamlet in the Canadian territory of Nunavut (formerly in the Northwest Territories). It is located at 66°08' North Latitude and 65°45' West Longitude on Baffin Island. As of the 2006 census the population was 1,325 an increase of 3.8% from the 2001 census.^[1] Pangnirtung is situated on a coastal plain at the coast of Pangnirtung Fjord, a fjord which eventually merges with Cumberland Sound. The area of the town is 7.54 square kilometres.

In 1921, Hudson's Bay Company established a trading post in Pangnirtung, and two years later the Royal Canadian Mounted Police erected a permanent office. The first government appointed teacher arrived in 1956, which in 1962 was followed by the first administrative office.

Pangnirtung is nicknamed the Switzerland of the Arctic.

Famous people from Pangnirtung include Nunavut premier Paul Okalik.

There is also some confusion with the name. Residents of Pangnirtung will say that the real name of the town is Panniqtuuq, which means "the place of many bull caribou". However, residents early in 2005 declined a proposal to officially change the name, opting to continue with the meaningless Pangnirtung due to world marketing of the name for traditional arts.

Pangnirtung is the nearest town (1 hour by boat) to Auyuittuq National Park and is well known for weaving and printmaking. Parks Canada operates a visitor centre, which is located near the park office. The community also operates a turbot fishery.

Auyuittuq Lodge is the hamlet’s only hotel, which comprises 25 rooms, shared facilities, a dining room, and a lounge. Visitors to Pangnirtung can also stay at the Pisuktina Tungavik Territorial Campground for free.

[edit] See also

• Pangnirtung Airport

[edit] References

1. ^ 2006 census

[edit] External links

• Qikiqtani Inuit Association - Pangnirtung Profile
• Uqqurmiut Inuit Artist Association

Coordinates: 66°08′52″N, 065°41′58″W