Minto Islands
Encyclopedia
The Minto Islands are a Canadian Arctic island group in the Nunavut
Territory. The islands lie in the western portion of Queen Maud Gulf
, between Kent Peninsula on Nunavut's mainland, and Melbourne Island
. Back Point, Victoria Island is approximately 47.9 km (29.8 mi) to the north.
In early spring, the Minto Islands are a caribou migration path from the mainland back northward to Victoria Island.
The islands are named after Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto
, first lord of the admiralty from 1835 to 1841, during the expedition of Sir John Henry Pelly, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company
.
In July 1839, Sir George Back
explored the region as well.
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
Territory. The islands lie in the western portion of Queen Maud Gulf
Queen Maud Gulf
Queen Maud Gulf lies between the northern coast of the mainland and the southeastern corner of Victoria Island in Nunavut, Canada. At its western end lies Cambridge Bay, leading to Dease Strait; to the east lies Simpson Strait; and to the north, Victoria Strait.It was named by the Norwegian...
, between Kent Peninsula on Nunavut's mainland, and Melbourne Island
Melbourne Island
Melbourne Island is an island in the Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada. It is located at the western end of Queen Maud Gulf, off the Kent Peninsula. To the north lies the Canadian Arctic's second largest island, Victoria Island....
. Back Point, Victoria Island is approximately 47.9 km (29.8 mi) to the north.
In early spring, the Minto Islands are a caribou migration path from the mainland back northward to Victoria Island.
The islands are named after Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto
Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto
Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto GCB, PC , styled as Viscount Melgund between 1813 and 1814, was a British diplomat and Whig politician.-Background and education:...
, first lord of the admiralty from 1835 to 1841, during the expedition of Sir John Henry Pelly, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
.
In July 1839, Sir George Back
George Back
Admiral Sir George Back FRS was a British naval officer, explorer of the Canadian Arctic , naturalist and artist.-Career:...
explored the region as well.