King William Island

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/king-william-island

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is King William Island?Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada; part of the Arctic Archipelago
2. How many people live in King William Island?1,349 (2021 Census)
3. What is the main community?Gjoa Haven
4. What is the historical context?Significant site for explorers seeking the Northwest Passage
5. Why do explorers care about King William Island?The island was a central point for searching the Northwest Passage. Famous explorers like Sir John Franklin and Roald Amundsen wintered there or sailed around its waters. It helped them learn about the ice and the land.
6. Who lives on King William Island?The only permanent community is Gjoa Haven, home to about 1,349 Inuit residents. People there hunt, fish, and work in government, education, and retail. They rely on each other to survive in the harsh Arctic.

Arctic Tundra: A treeless polar biome characterized by permafrost, low-growing vegetation, and extremely cold temperatures.
Permafrost: Ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, common in Arctic regions.
Subsistence Activities: Traditional practices of hunting, fishing, and gathering for personal or community consumption, vital in Arctic economies.
Inuktitut: The Indigenous language spoken by the Inuit people across the Arctic regions of Canada.