King William Island, Arctic island in Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada.
King William Island is an island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago between Victoria Island and the Boothia Peninsula. The coastline has many bays and headlands, while the interior holds low hills and wide plains.
James Clark Ross gave the land the name of King William IV, who ruled Britain at that time, during an expedition in 1830. George Back confirmed through his surveys a few years later that it was indeed an island.
The Inuit settlement of Gjoa Haven represents the sole permanent community on the island, with 1,349 residents according to the 2021 census.
The tundra offers no trees or shelter, so visitors must prepare for extreme cold, strong winds, and long darkness in winter. Access comes only by air or boat, and planning should start months ahead.
Caribou from the mainland arrive in large herds during summer to graze on the tundra vegetation. In autumn, they walk back across the frozen sea, following migration routes used for generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
