Territory (pop., 2001: 26,745), north-central Canada.
Nunavut (Inuit: "Our Land") is the result of Canada's largest land claim settlement, created to give the Inuit (see Eskimo ), representing 85% of its population, a greater voice in Canadian government. Occupying an area of 772,000 sq mi (2,000,000 sq km), or one-fifth of Canada's landmass, it comprises the central and eastern parts of the former Northwest Territories , including Ellesmere islands. Its capital is Iqaluit . The area was settled by Inuit from 4500 BC to AD 1000. Vikings probably visited during the Middle Ages, but the first records of exploration are from Martin Frobisher 's 1576 search for the {{link=Northwest Passage">Northwest Passage . The mainland was explored by Englishman Samuel Hearne in 1770–72. After passing through British possession, it was transferred to Canada in 1870. In 1976 a political organization called for the creation of a territory to settle Inuit claims in the Northwest Territories. The proposal was approved by the Canadian government in 1993. Nunavut's first elections were held in February 1999, and the territory was inaugurated on April 1, 1999.