Canada’s Yukon Territory in the northwest is one of the last untouched wilderness areas in the world. It consists of approximately 480,000 kilometres of majestic mountain ranges and fast flowing rivers. The Yukon is located between Alaska, the Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak at 6,000 metres is located in the southwest.
In 1846, John Belle, a Hudson’s Bay Company Trader called this area Yucon, meaning the greatest rivers. The Yukon River is the fifth longest river in North America.
The first Europeans arrived in the Yukon in the early 1800’s. Few people lived or traveled here until gold was discovered in 1896, near Dawson City. Dawson flourished and grew into the largest city west of Winnipeg. Dawson has earned the nickname, “Paris of the North.”
Whitehorse became the capital of the Yukon Territory in 1953. This city began during the goldrush days and flourished with the building of the Alaska Highway. It is now a communications and transportation center. The population is around 33,000.
Whitehorse boomed when prospectors poured into the Yukon in 1900. The White Pass and Yukon Railway was completed to Skagway. Whitehorse was at the northern end of the line. Steamers transported thousands of gold chasers down the Yukon River to Dawson City.
“The Trail of ‘98” led more than 40,000 people from every walk of life over the slopes of Chilkoot Pass and along the rivers to Dawson City. Outside Whitehorse, prospectors ran into an obstacle. The Yukon River narrowed in Miles Canyon and created raging whitewater rapids which dashed boats and rafts to bits and dumped passengers into the icy waters. In places waves reached as high as five feet. The miners saw these churning white waters as manes of stampeding white horses and thus the name Whitehorse.
Whitehorse is a beautiful city. Mountains, rivers, lakes and forests offer spectacular scenery. Whitehorse has been labeled one of the greatest communities in the north. It has an active cultural and arts community, breathtaking scenery and friendly people.
The territorial flower is the Fireweed. The hardy magenta flower is one of the most attractive in the territory. When driving along the roads, you will spot it growing along the riverbanks, in clearings and by the roadside. It blooms from mid-July to mid-September.
The Yukon territorial bird is the Raven. They soar through the sky, searching for food. Their black feathers seem to sparkle in the sun. A most handsome bird.
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