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224 People and Places

and Greenland Canada, Alaska,

1 TRANS-ALASKAN PIPELINE

The Trans-Alaskan pipeline runs 1,270 km (789 miles) from the oilfields

of Prudhoe Bay in the Arctic Ocean, south to the ice-free port of Valdez.

The pipeline is raised on stilts above the ground to allow migrating moose

and caribou to pass underneath it, and to stop the oil from freezing.

FISHING, NEWFOUNDLAND 3

Fishing has traditionally been a

major industry of Newfoundland,

with huge stocks of fish once

found off the east coast. Sadly,

over-fishing has greatly reduced

these stocks, and catches are now

severely restricted.

Team of huskies

pulls a sled

across the ice

WHO ARE CANADA’S NATIVE PEOPLES?

The First Nations and the Inuit peoples lived in

Canada long before Europeans began settling there in

the 17th century. They number about 900,000 people,

or 4 per cent of the population, and have kept many

of their traditional customs and traditions. In 1999,

the self-governing Inuit homeland of Nunavut was

created in the north of Canada.

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN GREENLAND?

Greenland is the world’s largest island, but has a

population of less than 60,000 because its climate is

so harsh and cold. Most live in small settlements

along the coast, making a living from catching fish,

shrimp, and seals. There is a small network of roads,

but dog sleds and planes are more reliable than cars

for getting around.

Sled races

between rival

teams are fiercely

contested

HOW DID ALASKA BECOME PART OF AMERICA?

Alaska was part of Russia until 1867, when it was

sold to the USA for $7.2 million. Most Americans

thought this was a huge waste of money until gold

was discovered there in 1896, attracting many people

hoping to make their fortune. The discovery of oil in

the Arctic Ocean in 1968 brought great wealth to the

state, and tourism is also a major source of income.

2 NATIVE PEOPLES

The Aleut and the Inuit, the

native peoples of Alaska and

northern Canada respectively,

have adapted to their harsh

environment, combining modern

technology with a traditional

lifestyle of hunting and fishing.

Northern North America is occupied by

Canada, the second largest country in the

world, the US state of Alaska, and the

Danish self-governing territory of

Greenland. Much of Greenland is covered

by ice and all these regions are sparsely

populated, although there are several

large cities in Canada. These are mainly

in the south of the country and on the Pacific coast near

the stunning Rocky Mountains. Huge oil and mineral

reserves have brought wealth to both Canada and Alaska.

Alaska