Welcome to the Land of the Midnight Sun – the fantastic Northern city of Yellowknife! Located on the shores of the Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife is the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories and offers a unique and exciting glimpse into Northern Canadian culture. From the vibrant streets of downtown to the city's spectacular natural wonders, Yellowknife has something for everyone. Join us on this journey to explore all the extraordinary things this vibrant and fascinating city has to offer!
Getting to Know Yellowknife
Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories in Canada. It is the largest settlement in the Northwest Territories with a population of 19, 217 people according to the 2016 census.
The city is located east of the Mackenzie River and is the gateway to Canada’s north. Yellowknife is in the Mountain Time zone, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and two hours behind UTC/GMT.
English is the primary language spoken in Yellowknife. French, Inuktitut, Ingiliz, Chinese and Tagalog are also spoken by some members of the community.
The currency used in Yellowknife is the Canadian dollar.
Climate and Weather
Yellowknife is located near the Great Slave Lake and is the capital of Northwest Territories in Canada. The climate of Yellowknife is subarctic with mild summers and cold, dry winters. Winters last from the end of October to the end of April and temperatures can reach -40C on cold days. Heavy snowfall begins in late October, and most days have over six hours of sunshine during the cold season. Summer temperatures typically reach around 15C and usually has clear, sunny days with highs near 26C. Yellowknife typically has low levels of humidity throughout the year, making the cold temperatures of winter appear even colder than they actually are. During the summer months, thunderstorms can occur with some frequency as well as other forms of precipitation such as hail and snow.
Touring Yellowknife: Airport and Transportation
There are two airports in Yellowknife, both of which are owned and operated by the Canadian Federal Government: the Yellowknife Airport (YZF), and the Snare Lake Airport (YWE).
Getting from the main airport to downtown can be done either by taking a taxi or by utilizing the free shuttle that runs from the airport to downtown. A taxi from the airport to downtown will typically cost around $15 CAD, whereas the free shuttle runs every half hour and is free for all passengers.
At the Yellowknife Airport, travellers can exchange Canadian currency at the Travelex Currency Services booth located pre-security in the main hall of the terminal building. It is also possible to exchange foreign currency at the ATM machines located inside the main hall of the terminal.
Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Yellowknife
- Yellowknife is situated in the Northwest Territories, between the Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes and is the largest community in the region
- Yellowknife is the traditional homeland of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the centre of Dene culture and art
- Visitors to Yellowknife can explore its cultural heritage by visiting historic sites and exploring the vibrant contemporary First Nations artwork in the community
Dubai
Cape Town
Male
London
Windhoek
Honolulu
Paris
Seoul
Ottawa
Zanzibar
Harare