Part of the country series of articles.
TRAVEL ADVISORY: NORMAL PRECAUTIONSThe Commonwealth advises travellers to exercise normal precautions when travelling in this country. Travellers should familiarise themselves with local laws and customs and consular availability.
| International Arctic Territories | |
|---|---|
| International Trust Territory | |
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| Capital | Iqaluit |
| Languages | Inuktitut, English |
| Population | 40,000 |
The International Arctic Territories are an international territory in the North American Arctic administered by the Commonwealth and the United States, and one of the most sparsely populated places in the world. The territory comprises the Baffin, Ellesmere, Devon and Axel Heiberg islands and several hundred smaller ones, and has a population of about 40,000 people who are almost entirely Algic Inuits. It comprises much of the traditional territories of the Kalan Inuits, who lived and hunted there throughout the 18th and 19th Centuries. The British North Atlantic, which included Kala, Oslola, the Aismious and other islands at that time, had initially intended to cede the land to the United States alongside Newfoundland in the 19th Century, but negotiations failed to arrange peaceful transfer.
Until the middle of the 20th Century, the question of sovereignty over the barren islands was still unresolved but of little consequence. This changed after the foundation of the Commonwealth in 1965, which began to assert control through patrols and scientific surveys. A more permanent solution was needed, since the Commonwealth could hardly afford to annex the territories unilaterally, and the U.S. was eager to maintain naval intelligence sharing to counter Soviet interest in the Arctic. Under a framework of demilitarised indigenous sovereignty, the International Arctic Territories were established under the 1968 Frobisher Convention, which functions as a joint treaty. Existing weather and radar stations were granted permanent concessions, most of which are still active today.
The Territories are governed by a permanent commission at which both national parties retain a seat, as well as a territorial council in Iqaluit that exercises control over schools, housing and hunting quotas. It is subject to the strict terms of its founding treaty. The Territories do export some iron ore from the Mary River mine, as well as traditional indigenous crafts like sealskins and some char (most of which is sold to Kala). Because of the close indigenous links between Commonwealth Inuits and the islands, the U.S. generally regards local separatists as Commonwealth sympathisers and has moved to exclude them from power. Otherwise, the islands are so remote and sparsely populated that very little organised political activity exists.
Travel requires permission from the commission, and most visitors arrive by weekly flying boat from Kala. Most residents hold dual citizenship with either the U.S. or the Commonwealth.