Melville Island, Arctic island in Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada
Melville Island is an arctic island spanning parts of Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada. Its coastline features deep bays and inlets, with terrain rising to elevations of 762 meters in some areas.
The island was discovered in 1819 by British explorer Sir William Parry, who named it after Robert Saunders Dundas, the Second Viscount Melville and First Lord of the Admiralty. This naming reflected Britain's naval significance during that era of polar exploration.
The island spans territories administered by both Northwest Territories and Nunavut, with the border running precisely along the 110th meridian west longitude.
This uninhabited island can only be reached by specialized arctic transportation and requires special permits before arrival. There are no permanent settlements or regular service routes, so any visit demands careful preparation and planning ahead.
A research team documented in 2003 the northernmost grizzly bear sighting on the island. This marked an unexpected expansion of the species' natural range into these far-north territories.
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