NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, the designation of all that portion of British North America under the dominion of Canada, except the provinces of Manitoba and British Columbia, lying w. and n. of the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. On the n. it is bounded by the Arctidocean, on the e. by the Atlantic, on the w. by the Pacific, and ou the s. by parts of Canada and the United States. Its length e. and w. is about 2,500 in.; breadth of the mainland n. and s., 1500 m.; and its estimated area, including the islands in the Arctic ocean, about 2,750,000 sq. miles. A great portion of the region con sists of inland seas, bays, lakes, rivers, swamps, treeless prairies, and barren hills and hollows. By one explorer it has been not inaptly called " the fag end of the world." In the s.w. the face of the country is level or rolling; farther e. the surface is broken and there are mountains 1000 ft. high; and on the Atlantic coast there are rocks, lakes, swamps, and mountains. The extreme n. is intersected with lakes, marshes, and rivers to a greater extent than any other portions of the globe that have been explored. The country immediately s. and w. of Hudson's bay is generally well wooded and has a fair soil. The principal rivers of the territories are the Churchill, Nelson, Severn, Albany, Abbitibbi, East plain, and Great Whale rivers. flowing into Hudson's bay; the Mac Kenzie, Coppermine, and Great Fish rivers, flowing into the Arctic ocean; the Saskatch swan, Assinniboin, and Red rivers, falling into lake Winnepeg,; and the Caniapuscaw and Natwakame rivers. falling into Hudson's strait. The chief lakes are the Great Bear, Great Slave, Athabasca, Winnepeg, Manitoba, Lake of the Woods, Winnepegoos, Clearwater, Nelson, Deer, Wollaston, North-Lined, Mistassini, and Abbitibbi. The geology of the region is not accurately known; but the western limits of the Hudson's bay basin are believed to be in part marked off by hills of metamorphic rock, and tho iron and lignite-bearing beds of Colorado and Wyoming appear to continue northward to the Arctic ocean. About 30 in. s. from this sea copper bas been found in small quantities on the Coppermine river. The climate is severe and in the greater portion of the territories agriculture is not practicable. In the n. the land is never thawed more than a few incites even in midsummer, and from the middle of October to the middle of May the country is buried under snow, while the smaller rivers and lakes are frozen to the bottom. In the w., however, the temperature is somewhat higher, and in the S. very variable, the range being 140°. A region commencing at the 100th meridian and 49th parallel and extending n.w. to the 52d parallel and 113th meridian embraces about 50,000 sq.m. that has a prairie hay which preserves its flavor and nutritive properties throughout the winter and provides the herds of buffalo with food. Here and there along the principal rivers and around the larger lakes are tracts capable of cultivation. The best of these localities are the valley of the Peace river, the district along the upper waters of the Athabasca and the upper valley of the Saskatchawan. Of the wild animals that are found the buffalo, beavers, sables, martens, wolves, foxes, bears, and others are very numerous, making the territories the most important fur-producing portion of the world. The musk-ox and some species of .deer are also abundant, and the seal and
walrus arc found on the shore of the Arctic ocean. The principal rivers and lakes are well-stocked with fish, including perch, carp, pike, whitefish, and sturgeon.
The history of this immense region dates back to 1610 when Hudson's bay was dis covered by John Hudson, an English navigator. Sixty years later Charles U. granted a great tract within its limits to prince Rupert, the duke of Albemarle, and others, who organized the Hudson's bay company to carry on the fur trade. This tract by the original charter was called "Rupert's land ;" and it constituted one of the king's colonies or plantations in America and was defined as all the lands and territories upon the countries, of the,seas, bays, lakes; rivers, and sounds, in whatsoever latitude they migiNbe,41fat lay Within the Hudson's straits, and that were not already possessed by the subjects of any other kingdoth. T.Tp to 1870 the whole region was known as the Hudson's Bay territory and was governed by the Hudson's Bay company, by whom it was divided into four large departments or regions which were subdivided into 33 districts, including 155 trading posts. The goVernmeut was administered by a chief governor and council, and the various departments by chief factors and traders. But in 1869 the company relinquished governmental functions, and during the following year the Northwest Territories came into the possession of Canada and were made.a province. The scanty population is mostly Indian or half-breeds, and the various tribes together are believed to number about 60,000 persons. They subsist by hunting, trap ping, and fishing. The white inhabitants, scattered at the various posts of the Hudson's Bay company, and employed by the company are mostly Scotch and French Canadians, and number about 3.000. There are numerous Roman Catholic, a number of Anglican, and a few Methodist and Presbyterian missions among the'Indians, many of whom have become civilized and embraced the Christian religion. The most important settlement is York Factory, on Hudson's hay near the mouth of the Nelson river, communication is had in the winter season between this place and fort Garry in Manitoba, the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay company in America, by means of dog sledges, and in summer by means of canoes and boats on the streams. The government of the territories is vested in a and a council of not more than five members, appointed by the gov.gen. of Canada in council. As soon, however, as any district of not more than 1000 sq.m. con tains 1000 adult inhabitants, it is entitled to elect a member of the council for two years, and a second member when the inhabitants number 2,000. The seat of government is Battleford, a town situated at the junction of Battle river with the north fork of the S iskatchawan, and on the Canadian Pacific railroad. about 500 in. w.n.w. of Winnepeg.