Qikiqtarjuaq, Broughton Island, door to the Auyuittuq Park

Qikiqtarjuaq (meaning big island ) is located just north of the Arctic Circle and off the east coast of Baffin Island, in smaller Broughton Island (only 12 by 16 km).

A narrow strait of 3,5 Km separates the two islands, and at east Greenland is close by across Davis Strait.

The village is set in a glorious arctic scenery, in a large bay surrounded by mountains that in sunny days reflect on the quiet waters.

Population: ~520
Latitude 67° 33’ N,  Longitude 64° 01’ W

One of the more traditional communities in Nunavut, Qikiqtarjuaq is known for its traditional Inuit and modern clothing, including sealskin parkas and kamiit (skin boots).

Abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery attract visitors to Qikiqtarjuaq, often called ‘Qik’ for short.

In the 1800s, European whalers would crisscross the Davis Strait between Greenland and Baffin Island to trade goods with the local Inuit people.

Qikiqtarjuaq is also the ‘Iceberg and Diving Capital of Nunavut’. The community has several local certified divers available throughout the diving season.

A nine-room inn, the Tulugak Hotel

Sunset at Qikitarjuaq bay

More infos : here and here
 
Broughton Island

Some views :

Aerial view

The east coast,looking to Greenland across Davis strait

Cape Broughton also looking east

In spring landscape is decorated with artic flowering like these poppies.

AUYUITTUQ PARK

Qikiqtarjuaq is conveniently close to the northern boundary of the majestically mountainous Auyuittuq National Park in Baffin Island, a closer door to the park than the southern hamlet of  Pangnirtung.

Coordinates 66°32′N, 65°19′W

Auyuittuq National Park has amazing glaciers, waterfalls, sheer cliffs, semicircular valleys, flat-topped peaks like Mount Asgard or steep peaks like  Mount Thor:

Mount Asgard

Mount Thor, a famous steep cliff 1675 m high

‘Auyuittuq’ in Inuktitut language means ‘land that never melts.’ Established in 1976, this national park protects 19 089 square kilometres of pristine, glacier-scoured arctic terrain. The Inuit people have used this majestic land for thousands of years as a traditional travel corridor.

Auyuittuq Park deserves by itself a dedicated post here, I will publish it as soon as possible.