INDIAN TERRITORIES was the name formerlk given to the enormous region which for the most part is now known as the NORTIDWEST TERRITORY of Canada. The north west territory is bounded on the e. by .Manitoba and .Keewatin, on the s. by the United States frontier, w. by British Columbia and Alaska. and n. by the Arctic ocean. It was organized as a territory by act of the Dominion parliament in 1875, under a governor and council of five appointed by the Dominion government. But provision is made that when any district has a population of 1000, the inhabitants shall have power to elect a member -of council; and when the population becomes sufficiently numerous, the council becomes the legislature. The capital is Battleford, on the Battle river, where government build ings have been erected. Parallel to the great chain of lakes a belt of forest, 500 m. in width, extends across the whole territory. To the n. of this is the most deso late region of the earth, the home of the musk ox and summer resort of the reindeer; but the forest extends along the Mackenzie river close to the Arctic ocean. Between the forest and the U. S. frontier lies a great region of plain and prairie—a country of gently sloping hills and large treeless expanses. Along the northern portion lies the celebrated
fertile belt of the Saskatchawan, stretching 800 m. from lake Winnipeg, and from 40 to 150 in. in breadth. Along with Red river valley, this is the finest wheat-growing district in the w. of America. The region between this and the American desert is of mixed character, much of it rich soil well suited for grazing purposes, but generally deficient in rainfall. It has been estimated that the plain and prairie region covers an area of about 200,000,000 acres, of which it is believed that 80,000,000 consist of first-class soil, another 80,000,000 of mixed as and grazing lands, and 40,000,000 of lakes and marshes, with dry tracts and pastures. The Indians, still the largest portion of the inhabitants, have made over their rights in the land to the government on the same conditions as throughout what was the Hudson's bay company (q.v.) territory. Settlement has begun in the e., and is proceeding rapidly from Manitoba westward. The climate is Severe to winter, the thermometer falling to — 40°, but dry and clear.' ,