Baffin Island (Inuktitut: Qikiqtaaluk ᕿᑭᖅᑖᓗᒃ) is one of the Arctic Islands in the north of Canada in the territory of Nunavut. It is the largest island in Canada and is the 5th largest island in the world, with an area of 195,928 sq mi (507,451 km²). It has a population of 11,000 (2004). It is named for British explorer William Baffin.

Geography

Iqaluit, formerly Frobisher Bay, the capital of Nunavut, is located on the southern coast, on the geographical feature for which it was named.

To the south lies Hudson Strait and Quebec on the mainland. To the east are Davis Strait and Baffin Bay and beyond them is Greenland. On the West and North, Foxe Basin , the Gulf of Boothia and Lancaster Sound separate Baffin Island from the rest of the archipelago.

Politics

Baffin is part of the Region of Baffin.

Largest Communities (2001 population)

1. Iqaluit (5,236)
2. Pangnirtung (1,243)
3. Pond Inlet (1,220)
4. Clyde River (785)
5. Arctic Bay (646)
6. Kimmirut (433)
7. Nanisivik (77)

Additionally, the communities of Qikiqtarjuaq and Cape Dorset are located on off-shore islands.