Aulavik << OW lah vihk >> National Park lies in the northern region of Banks Island in the Northwest Territories in Canada. Aulavik means “place where people travel” in the language of the Inuvialuit, the native people of the region. The Inuvialuit may practice their traditional activities, which include fishing, gathering food, hunting, and trapping animals, in the park.
The park covers 3,014,700 acres (1,220,000 hectares). It features a variety of landscapes, including deep river canyons and rough, desertlike badlands. The Thomsen River flows through the center of the park. The oldest rock formations in the park date from about 350 million years ago.
Aulavik National Park is known for the variety of its wildlife. More than 65,000 musk oxen wander the park grounds. Arctic foxes, lemmings, caribou, and polar bears also live there. The park’s bird sanctuary is home to ptarmigans, ravens, snow geese, and other birds. Arctic char and other fish swim in Aulavik’s waters. Many kinds of flowers bloom in the park in the summer.
Visitors can enjoy the park’s Arctic wilderness, especially in the summer when the sun provides continuous sunlight. Many people explore the Thomsen River in canoes. Others enjoy hiking in the park.
People have lived in the area of Aulavik National Park for about 3,500 years. The Canadian government established the park in 1992.
