Canadian Arctic Archipelago

There are hundreds of Islands, some of them quite large, known as the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The Islands are lightly inhabited, or uninhabited. Living conditions are harsh. Almost all the Islands are above the Arctic Circle, and are thus subjected to long periods of no sunlight.

Agriculture is impossible, because of the presence of permafrost.

Large areas are essentially bereft of vegetation.

Some Islands have had mines on them.

The largest Island is Baffin Island, which is home to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, and several other communities with more than 1000 residents.

Ellesmere Island, the northernmost large Island, and third Island overall, has just three communities on it, with less than 400 residents.