Yukon Territory

The Yukon is a territory. It has been a separate geographical and politcal entity within Canada since 1898. It borders the Northwest Territories and Alaska (east/west), north the Beaufort Sea and south British Columbia. The sun does not set on June 21st nor does it rise on December 21st. Summer can see 36°C, while winter can drop as low as -62°C.

• Capital - Whitehorse
  
  
• Premier - Pat Duncan
  
  
• The largest community is Whitehorse at 22 879. Dawson City was the centre of the Klondike goldrush. The raven is called Crow by Yukon First Nations people and is the subject of many stories passed from generation to generation. One of the most familiar stories is about how Crow brought the sun, the moon and daylight to the world. Crow turned himself into a pine needle and was swallowed in a cup of water by the daughter of the big man who owned all the sources of light.
  
  
• Size - 483 450 sq km
  Population - 31 070
  Languages spoken - English & Aboriginal
  
  
• Flag - The flag was adopted on March 1, 1968. There are three vertical stripes- green (forests) white (snow) and blue (water). Centered is the Coat of Arms and the territory flower, fireweed. The Coat of Arms was officailly approved in 1956. Wavy blue and white stripes represent the Yukon River, red spire, mountains, gold circles, minerals resources. Topped with the cross of St. George, English explores and the blue and white design in the circle, fur trade, topped with the Husky dog.
  
  
• The Yukon flag is the product of a territory-wide design competition as part of Canada's 1967 centennial year celebrations.
  
  
• Flower - Fireweed.