Geography of Nunavut

The multitude of rivers and lakes in the entire region is caused by the watersheds of the area being so young and in a state of sorting themselves out with the added effect of post-glacial rebound.

Arctic tundra (Köppen climate classification ET) covers virtually all of Nunavut, the only exceptions being the area roughly between the Four Corners and Ennadai and Nueltin lakes, where a marginal taiga or boreal forest exists, and small zones of permanent ice caps, found on some of the larger Arctic islands (especially Baffin, Devon and Ellesmere) at sites having a relatively high elevation.

Nunavut's vegetation is partially composed of rare berries, lichens, Arctic willows, mosses, tough grass, dwarf shrubs, graminoids, and herbs.

Nunavut experiences a polar climate in most regions, owing to its high latitude and lower continental summertime influence than areas to the west.

In more southerly continental areas, very cold subarctic climates can be found, due to July being slightly milder than the required 10 °C (50 °F).