Kiillinnguyaq Explained

Kiillinnguyaq
Pushpin Map:Canada Nunavut
Native Name Link:Inuktitut
Location:Dease Strait
Coordinates:68.5475°N -107.1583°W
Archipelago:Arctic Archipelago
Country:Canada
Country Admin Divisions Title:Territory
Country Admin Divisions:Nunavut
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Region
Country Admin Divisions 1:Kitikmeot
Population:Uninhabited

Kiillinnguyaq, formerly the Kent Peninsula, is a large Arctic peninsula, almost totally surrounded by water, in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. Were it not for a isthmus at the southeast corner it would be a long island parallel to the coast. From the isthmus it extends westward into the Coronation Gulf. To the south, Melville Sound separates it from the mainland. To the north is Dease Strait and then Victoria Island. To the west is Coronation Gulf and to the east, Queen Maud Gulf. Cape Flinders marks the western tip of the peninsula, Cape Franklin is at the northwestern point, and Hiiqtinniq, formerly Cape Alexander[1] marks the northeastern point.[2]

Historically, the Umingmuktogmiut subgroup of the Copper Inuit had a permanent community at Umingmuktog on the peninsula's western coast.[3] A landmark for early explorers was Cape Turnagain[4] or Point Turnagain,[5] located about northeast of Cape Flinders, near Cape Franklin at about 68.6083°N -108.3083°W. In 1821, John Franklin reached the point from the west, at the most northerly point of the disastrous Coppermine expedition and then turned back. In 1838, Thomas Simpson nearly reached the same point, but was blocked by ice and had to walk east. In 1839, the coast was clear of ice and Simpson followed the entire coast eastward.

Notes and References

  1. http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/0cf7c5e7849c20c3e37a3f7208ea2f55 Hiiqtinniq (Formerly Cape Alexander)
  2. Book: McGoogan, Ken. Fatal Passage: The Story of John Rae, the Arctic Hero Time Forgot. Basic Books. 2003. 139. 0-7867-1156-6.
  3. Book: Stefansson, Vilhjalmur . The Stefánsson-Anderson Arctic Expedition of the American Museum: Preliminary Ethnological Report . 28 . 1914 . The Trustees of the American Museum . New York . 13626409.
  4. Cape Turnagain Kent Peninsula " America & The West Indies Geographically Described" George Long P102 Publisher: HardPress (June 27, 2018)
  5. Turanagain Point Kent Peninsula "Sailing Directions for Northern Canada - The Coast of Labrador Northwards ..."US Hydrographic Office P 558