History
Iqaluit is located near the Sylvia Grinnell River, which empties into Frobisher bay. The bay was named after Sir Martin Frobisher, the Englishman who discovered Iqaluit in 1576. He thought he had found a route to China. He made three trips there between 1576-1578. Comercial whaling in the 1800's brought men to that area. In the early 1900's whaling died down and the fur trade rose. The Hudson's Bay Company opened a trading post near Iqaluit. In 1942 the US Army Air Force made Iqaluit's location a site of a major air base. The area known as Iqaluit was named Frobisher Bay from 1955-1987.
From 1955-1957, DEW lines (distant early warning lines) were constructed. They were used during the Cold War to detect Soviet bombers. This project brought many people and supplies to Frobisher Bay. The Federal Government of Canada started bringing highly educated people to Frobisher Bay in 1959. Doctors, clerks, administrators and teachers settled into the area along with many groups of Inuit. During the years 1960-1963, the American Air force left and Frobisher Bay became the Canadian government's center for communications, transportation and administration in the Eastern Arctic.
Iqaluit officially became the capital of Nunavut in December 1995.
From 1955-1957, DEW lines (distant early warning lines) were constructed. They were used during the Cold War to detect Soviet bombers. This project brought many people and supplies to Frobisher Bay. The Federal Government of Canada started bringing highly educated people to Frobisher Bay in 1959. Doctors, clerks, administrators and teachers settled into the area along with many groups of Inuit. During the years 1960-1963, the American Air force left and Frobisher Bay became the Canadian government's center for communications, transportation and administration in the Eastern Arctic.
Iqaluit officially became the capital of Nunavut in December 1995.