Sirmilik, << SEER mee leek, >> National Park is a national park in Nunavut, Canada. It consists of three separate areas on Baffin Island—Baillarge Bay, Borden Peninsula, and Oliver Sound—and most of Bylot Island. The park has a total land area of 5,436,300 acres (2,200,000 hectares). Pond Inlet, on Eclipse Sound, is the closest community.
Sirmilik has a diverse landscape that includes coastal lowlands, fiords (long, narrow inlets), glaciers, ice fields, mountains, and sea cliffs. The name Sirmilik means place of glaciers in the native Inuktitut language. Sirmilik lies about 435 miles (700 kilometers) north of the Arctic Circle and has a cold, dry climate. In January, the coldest month, the average low temperature is –31 °F (–35 °C). In July, the warmest month, the average high temperature is only 48 °F (9 °C). From mid-November to late January, the sun does not rise above the horizon in the park. From mid-May to late July, the sun never sets.
Plants in the park are thinly scattered and include Arctic poppies, saxifrages, and willows. The animal population includes Arctic foxes and hares, caribou, ermines, and lemmings. Polar bears can be found in the park during the summer. Baillarge Bay and Bylot Island support large seabird colonies. Seals, walruses, and whales inhabit waters in and near the park.
Activities for visitors to Sirmilik include bird watching, camping, dog sledding, hiking, kayaking, and ski touring. Cruise ships visit Pond Inlet during the summer. The government of Canada established Sirmilik National Park in 2001.
