View source for Geography of Yukon

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{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
[[File:Yukonwikimap.PNG|thumb|350px|A map of [[Yukon]]]]
'''[[Yukon]]''' (population as of the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]] 40,232<ref name="2021censusYT">{{cite web |url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000101 |title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 and 2011 censuses |work=[[Statistics Canada]] |date=24 February 2025 |access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref>) is in the northwestern corner of Canada and is bordered by [[Alaska]], [[British Columbia]] and the [[Northwest Territories]]. The sparsely populated territory abounds with natural scenery, snowmelt lakes and perennial white-capped mountains, including many of Canada's highest mountains. The territory's climate is [[Climate of the Arctic|Arctic]] in territory north of [[Old Crow, Yukon|Old Crow]], [[Subarctic climate|subarctic]] in the region, between [[Whitehorse]] and Old Crow, and [[humid continental climate]] south of Whitehorse and in areas close to the British Columbia border. Most of the territory is [[Taiga|boreal forest]] with [[tundra]] being the main vegetation zone only in the extreme north and at high elevations.

The territory is about the shape of a right triangle, bordering the [[U.S. state|American state]] of Alaska to the west, the Northwest Territories to the east and British Columbia to the south. Yukon covers {{cvt|482,443|km2}}, of which {{cvt|474,391|km2}} is land and {{cvt|8,052|km2}} is water, making it the [[List of first-level administrative divisions by area|thirty-sixth largest subnational entity in the world]], and, among the fifty largest, the least populous.

Yukon is bounded on the south by the [[60th parallel north|60th parallel]] of [[latitude]]. Its northern coast is on the [[Beaufort Sea]]. Its western boundary is [[141st meridian west|141° west]] [[longitude]]. Its ragged eastern boundary largely follows the [[Drainage divide|divide]] between the [[Yukon River]] basin and the [[Mackenzie River]] [[drainage basin|watershed]] to the east in the [[Mackenzie Mountains]].

==Physical geography==
Except for the coastal plain on the [[Beaufort Sea]] ([[Arctic Ocean]]) coast, most of Yukon is part of the [[American Cordillera]]. The terrain includes [[mountain range]]s, [[plateau]]s and river valleys.

The southwest is dominated by the [[Kluane ice fields]] in [[Kluane National Park and Reserve]], the largest non-polar [[ice field]]s in the [[Geographical pole|Poles]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-non-polar-ice-field/ |title=Largest non-polar ice field |website=Guinness World Records |access-date=10 October 2019 |quote= Located in Yukon Territory, Canada,&nbsp;... Kluane National Park and Reserve is home to the largest ice field outside the Poles. }}</ref> Kluane National Park also contains eight of Canada's ten highest mountains, including the five highest, all in the [[Saint Elias Mountains]]. A number of glaciers flow out of the ice fields, including the [[Logan Glacier (Alaska)|Logan Glacier]], the [[Hubbard Glacier]] and the [[Kaskawulsh Glacier]].

[[Permafrost]] is common. The northern part of Yukon has continuous permafrost, while it is widespread in the central part. Even the southern Yukon has scattered patches of permafrost.

Two major [[Geologic fault|faults]], the [[Denali Fault]] and the [[Tintina Fault]] have created major valleys called [[Oceanic trench|trenches]]: the [[Shakwak Trench]] and the [[Tintina Trench]]. The Shakwak Trench separates the Kluane ranges from other mountain ranges north of it. The [[Haines Highway]] and the [[Alaska Highway]] north of [[Haines Junction]] are built in the Shakwak Trench. The Tintina Trench bisects the Yukon from northwest to southeast and its edges have rich mineral deposits including the [[Klondike, Yukon|Klondike]] [[gold]] and the [[lead]]-[[zinc]] deposits near [[Faro, Yukon|Faro]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geology.gov.yk.ca/publications/openfile/2002/of2002_8d_geoprocess_file/documents/general/userguide.pdf |title=Yukon Geological Survey, ''Yukon Geoprocess File User Guide'' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027141939/http://www.geology.gov.yk.ca/publications/openfile/2002/of2002_8d_geoprocess_file/documents/general/userguide.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2005}}</ref>

=== Volcanoes ===
The [[volcano]]es in Yukon are part of the circle of volcanoes around the [[Pacific Ocean]] known as the [[Ring of Fire]]. Yukon includes more than 100 separate volcanic centres that have been active during the [[Quaternary]]. The [[Fort Selkirk volcanic field]] in central Yukon is the northernmost [[Holocene]] [[volcanic field]] in Canada, including the young [[active volcano|active]] [[cinder cone]], [[Volcano Mountain]]. A [[volcanic field]] in south-central Yukon is called [[Alligator Lake volcanic complex]]. It contains two well-preserved cinder cones that caps a small [[shield volcano]]. Lava from the cones travelled north and were erupted at the same time. Volcanoes in south-western Yukon are part of the [[Wrangle Volcanic Field]], which is related to the [[subduction]] of the [[Pacific plate]] beneath the [[North American plate]] at the easternmost end of the [[Avalanche Trench]].

Yukon volcanoes include:

*[[Volcano Mountain]]
*[[Alligator Lake volcanic complex]]
*[[Fort Selkirk volcanic field]]
*[[Pelly Formation]]
*[[Bennett Lake Volcanic Complex]]
*[[Sifton Range volcanic complex]]
*[[Rabbit Mountain]]
*[[Felsite Peak]]
*[[Ibex Mountain]]
*[[Mount McNeil]]
*[[Miles Canyon Basalts]]
*[[Ne Ch'e Ddhawa]]
*[[Skukum Group]]
*[[Upper Becker Creek Cone]]

=== Mountain ranges ===
The [[Saint Elias Mountains]] are part of the [[Coast Mountains]] which range from southern British Columbia to Alaska and cover the southwestern Yukon. While the Saint Elias Mountains contain the highest mountains, there are numerous other mountain ranges, from the [[British Mountains]] in the far north and the [[Richardson Mountains]] in the northeast, both of which are part of the [[Brooks Range]], to the [[Selwyn Mountains]] and [[Mackenzie Mountains]] in the east, the [[Cassiar Mountains]] in the south-east, the [[Pelly Mountains]] in the central Yukon, and the [[Ogilvie Mountains]] north
of [[Dawson City]] and along the [[Dempster Highway]].

Yukon mountain ranges include:
*[[Brooks Range]] (mostly in northern [[Alaska]])
**[[British Mountains]], [[Yukon]]
**[[Richardson Mountains]], Yukon
*[[Cassiar Mountains]], [[British Columbia]] and Yukon
*[[Mackenzie Mountains]], [[Northwest Territories]] and Yukon
**Logan Mountains, Yukon
*[[Selwyn Mountains]], Yukon
**[[Hess Mountains]], Yukon
**[[Nadaleen Range]], Yukon
**[[Bonnet Plume Range]], Yukon
**[[Wernecke Mountains Group]], Yukon
**[[Knorr Range]], Yukon
*[[Pacific Coast Ranges]], Mexico to Alaska
**[[Coast Mountains]], also in [[British Columbia]] and the [[Southeast Alaska|Alaska Panhandle]]
**[[Saint Elias Mountains]], southern Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia
***[[Kluane Ranges]], Yukon
***[[Alsek Ranges]], Yukon, British Columbia and Alaska
*[[Yukon Ranges]]
**[[Anvil Range]]
**[[Dawson Range (Yukon)|Dawson Range]]
**[[Miners Range]], Yukon
**[[Nisling Range]]
**[[Ogilvie Mountains]], Yukon
***[[Nahoni Range]]
**[[Pelly Mountains]], Yukon
***[[Big Salmon Range]], Yukon
***[[Glenlyon Range]]
***[[Saint Cyr Range]]
**[[Ruby Range (Yukon)|Ruby Range]], Yukon

=== Highest mountains ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Highest mountains in the Yukon
!Mountain
!Height (metres)
!Height (feet)
!Rank
|-
|[[Mount Logan]]
|{{convert|5959|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|Highest mountain in Canada
|-
|[[Mount Saint Elias]]
|{{convert|5489|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#2 in both Canada and the USA
|-
|[[Mount Lucania]]
|{{convert|5226|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#3 in Canada
|-
|[[King Peak (Yukon)|King Peak]]
|{{convert|5173|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#4 in Canada
|-
|[[Mount Steele]]
|{{convert|5073|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#5 in Canada
|-
|[[Mount Wood (Yukon)|Mount Wood]]
|{{convert|4842|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#7 in Canada
|-
|[[Mount Vancouver]]
|{{convert|4812|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#8 in Canada
|-
|[[Mount Slaggard]]
|{{convert|4742|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|#10 in Canada
|-
|[[Mount Macaulay]]
|{{convert|4690|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|
|-
|[[Mount Hubbard]]
|{{convert|4577|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|
|-
|[[Mount Walsh]]
|{{convert|4507|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|
|-
|[[Mount Alverstone]]
|{{convert|4439|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|
|-
|[[McArthur Peak]]
|{{convert|4389|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|
|-
|[[Mount Augusta]]
|{{convert|4289|m|ft|disp=tablecen}}
|
|}

== Hydrography ==
{{See also|List of lakes of Yukon|List of rivers of Yukon}}

Most of the territory is in the [[drainage basin|watershed]] of its namesake, the [[Yukon River]], which flows into the [[Bering Sea]]. Southern Yukon is dotted with a large number of large, long and narrow glacier-fed [[alpine lake]]s, most of which flow into the Yukon River system. The larger lakes include: [[Teslin Lake]], [[Atlin Lake]], [[Tagish Lake]], [[Marsh Lake]], [[Lake Laberge]], [[Kusawa Lake]], [[Kluane Lake]]. [[Bennett Lake]] on the [[Klondike Gold Rush]] trail is a smaller lake flowing into Tagish Lake.
[[File:Yukon Köppen.svg|thumb|300px|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] types of Yukon]]
Other rivers flow either directly into the [[Pacific Ocean]] or directly or indirectly into the [[Arctic Ocean]]. The [[Alsek River|Alsek]] - [[Tatshenshini River|Tatshenshini]] drainage flows directly into the Pacific from southwestern Yukon. A number of rivers in northern Yukon flow directly into the Arctic Ocean. The two main Yukon rivers flowing into the [[Mackenzie River]] in the Northwest Territories are the [[Liard River]] in the southeast and the [[Peel River (Canada)|Peel River]] and its tributaries in the northeast.

== Climate ==

Most of Yukon has a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfc''), characterized by long cold winters and brief warm summers. The airstrip at [[Snag, Yukon|Snag]], {{cvt|25|km}} east of [[Beaver Creek, Yukon|Beaver Creek]] near the Alaska border, experienced the lowest ever [[temperature]] measured in North America (outside of Greenland), {{cvt|&minus;63.0|C}} on 3 February 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wmo.int/sites/default/files/2024-07/Table_Records_02Jul2024.pdf |title=Records of Weather and Climate Extremes |publisher=[[World Meteorological Organization]] |page=3 |access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref> The [[Arctic Ocean]] coast has a [[polar climate]] (''ET''). The climate is generally very dry, with little precipitation, but is considerably wetter in the southeast. Precipitation is much greater in the mountains, and the snow pack continues to melt well into the summer, resulting in high water in July or August.

{|class="wikitable"
|+Representative climate normals
|-
!Zone
!Average annual temperature
!Average July temperature
!Average January temperature
!Average snowfall
!Average rainfall
|-
!North<br>([[Old Crow, Yukon|Old Crow]])<ref name="ccn2020OldCrow"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|−7.7|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|14.8|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|−28.7|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|154.9|cm|2|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|160.1|mm|2|disp=br()}}
|-
!Central<br>([[Dawson City]])<ref name="ccnYDA2020"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|−3.8|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|15.9|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|-25.7|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|161.9|cm|2|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|207.8|mm|2|disp=br()}}
|-
!South<br>([[Whitehorse]])<ref name ="CCN2010Whitehorse"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|0.2|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|14.5|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|-15.0|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|147.6|cm|2|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|164.3|mm|2|disp=br()}}
|-
!Southeast<br>([[Watson Lake, Yukon|Watson&nbsp;Lake]])<ref name="CCN2020WatsonLake"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|−2.1|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|9.3|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|-26.7|C|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|197.0|cm|2|disp=br()}}
| style="text-align:center;"|{{cvt|260.9|mm|2|disp=br()}}
|}

{{Old Crow, Yukon weatherbox}}
{{Dawson City weatherbox}}
{{Whitehorse weatherbox}}
{{Watson Lake, Yukon weatherbox}}

== Ecology ==
Except for the [[coastal plain]] of the [[Arctic Ocean]] and high elevations, most of Yukon is in an [[ecoregion]] that forms part of the [[boreal forest of Canada]]. Most mountain peaks and higher elevations are characterized by [[Alpine tundra]] while the coastal plain is [[Arctic coastal tundra]]. More precisely, according to the [[Ecozones of Canada|ecozone]] definitions used by [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]], southern and central Yukon is part of the [[Boreal Cordillera|Boreal Cordillera Ecozone]] while the northern forest is part of the [[Taiga Cordillera|Taiga Cordillera Ecozone]]. The [[Peel River (Canada)|Peel River]] area in the northeast is in the [[Taiga Plains Ecozone (CEC)|Taiga Plains Ecozone]] and the Arctic coast is in the [[Southern Arctic Ecozone (CEC)|Southern Arctic Ecozone]].

[[File:Fireweed Yukon.jpg|thumb|[[Chamaenerion angustifolium|Fireweed]] (''Epilobium angustifolium''), Yukon's territorial flower<ref name=emblems/> and [[white spruce]] (''Picea glauca'') in southern Yukon near the South [[Klondike Highway]].]]

=== Plants ===
[[Picea mariana|Black spruce]] (''Picea mariana''),<ref>{{cite web|first1=C. Michael |last1=Hogan |url=http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=44751 |title=Black Spruce: ''Picea mariana'' |website=GlobalTwitcher.com |editor-first1=Nicklas |editor-last1=Stromberg |date=2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005174426/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=44751 |archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> [[white spruce]] (''Picea glauca''), [[Populus tremuloides|quaking aspen]] (''Populus tremuloides'') and [[Populus sect. Tacamahaca|balsam poplar]] (''Populus balsamifera'') are found throughout much of the territory. Although relatively uncommon, the [[Betula neoalaskana|Alaska birch]] (''Betula neoalaskana'') is also found in most areas. The [[Pinus contorta|lodgepole pine]] (''Pinus contorta'') reaches its northern extreme in the south-central part of the territory, while [[Larix laricina|tamarack]] (''Larix laricina'') is found in the southeast and the [[Abies lasiocarpa|subalpine fir]] (''Abies lasiocarpa'', the official tree<ref name=emblems/>) is found at higher elevations in the southern part of the territory. [[Chamaenerion angustifolium|Fireweed]] (''Epilobium angustifolium'') is the territories official flower.<ref name=emblems>{{cite web|url=https://yukon.ca/en/find-out-about-yukon-symbols-emblems |title=Find out about the Yukon's symbols and emblems |date=26 September 2022 |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Government of Yukon}}</ref>

=== Animals ===
It is estimated that there are over 200,000 [[Reindeer|caribou]] (''Rangifer tarandus'') in 53 herds throughout Yukon. The [[Barren-ground caribou|barren-ground]] (''Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus'' or ''Rangifer tarandus grantii''),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/yukon-wildlife/barren-ground-caribou |title=Barren-ground Caribou |date=5 July 2024 |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Government of Yukon}}</ref> which includes the 169,000 strong [[Porcupine caribou]] herd (''Rangifer arcticus arcticus'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yukonconservation.ca/blog/09-02-23 |title=Caribou in the Yukon |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Yukon Conservation Society}}</ref> The [[Boreal woodland caribou|woodland caribou]] (''Rangifer tarandus caribou'') are boreal woodland and northern mountain caribou as designated by the [[Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/yukon-wildlife/woodland-caribou |title=Woodland Caribou |date=9 September 2024 |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Government of Yukon}}</ref>

Other large mammals include [[moose]] (''Alces alces''), [[Wolf|wolves]] (''Canis lupus''), [[grizzly bear]]s (''Ursus arctos horribilis'') and [[American black bear]]s (''Ursus americanus''). Higher elevations have [[Dall sheep]] (also called thinhorn sheep, ''Ovis dalli'') and, in the south, [[mountain goat]] (''Oreamnos americanus''). [[Polar bear]]s (''Ursus maritimus'') are found on the Arctic coast. The [[mule deer]] (''Odocoileus hermionus'') and its predator, the [[cougar]] (''Puma concolor''), are becoming increasingly common in the south, and [[coyote]]s (''Canis latrans'') are increasing their range to the northern Yukon. [[Elk]] (''Cervus canadensis'') and [[wood bison]] (''Bison bison athabascae'') are also present.<ref name="wildlife">{{cite web|url=https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/yukon-wildlife |title=Yukon wildlife |date=25 June 2019 |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Government of Yukon}}</ref>

There are many species of rodents, including [[red squirrel]]s (''Sciurus vulgaris''), [[Arctic ground squirrel]] (''Urocitellus parryii''), [[northern flying squirrel]] (''Glaucomys sabrinus''), several species of [[lemming]]s, [[collared pika]]s (''Ochotona collaris''), [[North American beaver]]s (''Castor canadensis''), various species of [[vole]]s, [[North American porcupine]]s (''Erethizon dorsatum''), [[muskrat]]s (''Ondatra zibethicus''), etc. [[Mustelidae|Mustelids]] are also well represented and include the [[wolverine]] (''Gulo gulo''), [[American marten]] (''Martes americana''), [[stoat]] (also called the ermine, ''Mustela erminea''), [[least weasel]] (''Mustela nivalis''), [[American mink]] (''Neogale vison''), and the [[North American river otter|river otter]] (''Lontra canadensis'' or ''Lutra canadensis''). Other small carnivores present are the [[Canada lynx]] (''Lynx canadensis''), [[red fox]] ('' Vulpes vulpes'') and [[Arctic fox]] (''Vulpes lagopus'') along the northern coast.<ref name="wildlife"/>

More than 250 species of birds have been [[List of birds of Yukon|sighted in Yukon]]. The [[common raven]] (''Corvus corax'') is the territorial bird and is common everywhere.<ref name=emblems/> Other common resident birds include [[bald eagle]]s (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus''), [[golden eagle]]s (''Aquila chrysaetos''), [[gyrfalcon]] (''Falco rusticolus'') and [[peregrine falcon]] (''Falco peregrinus''), seven species of [[grouse]] ([[spruce grouse|spruce]] (''Canachites canadensis''), [[Dusky grouse|dusky]] (''Dendragapus obscurus''), [[ruffed grouse|ruffed]] (''Bonasa umbellus''), [[Sharp-tailed grouse|sharp-tailed]] (''Tympanuchus phasianellus''), [[Willow ptarmigan]] (''Lagopus lagopus''), [[Rock ptarmigan]] (''Lagopus muta''), and [[white-tailed ptarmigan]] (''Lagopus leucura'')). Many [[Bird migration|migratory birds]] breed in the Yukon, as it is at the northern end of the [[Pacific Flyway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://yukonbirds.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Yukon-bird-checklist-2015.pdf |title=Checklist of Yukon Birds |last1=Eckert |first1=Cameron D.|last2=Grünberg |first2=Helmut|last3=Sinclair |first3=Pamela|date=May 2015 |publisher=Yukon Bird Club |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref>

Other than the [[burbot]] (''Lota lota'') and [[northern pike]] (''Esox lucius''), most of the large fish found in Yukon rivers, lakes and streams are [[Salmonidae|salmonids]]. Four species of [[Oncorhynchus|Pacific salmon]] ([[Chinook salmon|chinook]] (''Oncorhynchus tshawytscha''), [[Chum salmon|chum]] (''Oncorhynchus keta''), [[Coho salmon|coho]] (''Oncorhynchus kisutch''), and [[Sockeye salmon|sockeye]] (''Oncorhynchus nerka'')) breed in Yukon rivers and lakes in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] and [[Yukon River]] watersheds. The Yukon River has the longest freshwater migration route of any salmon; Chinook salmon swim over {{cvt|3,000|km}} from its mouth in the [[Bering Sea]] to spawning grounds upstream of [[Whitehorse]]. There are also land-locked [[Kokanee salmon|kokanee]] (''Oncorhynchus nerka'', a type of sockeye) and [[rainbow trout]] (''Oncorhynchus mykiss''). [[Salvelinus|Char]] are represented by [[lake trout]] (''Salvelinus namaycush'') present in most large Yukon lakes, as well as [[Dolly Varden trout|Dolly Varden]] (''Salvelinus malma''), [[bull trout]] (''Salvelinus confluentus'') and [[Arctic char]] (''Salvelinus alpinus''). The [[Arctic grayling]] (''Thymallus arcticus'') is ubiquitous, while the lakes have various [[Coregonus|whitefish]] and [[Stenodus leucichthys|inconnu]] (''Stenodus leucichthys'').<ref name="wildlifespecies">{{cite web|url=https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/yukon-wildlife/yukon-wildlife-species |title=Yukon wildlife by species |date=27 December 2019 |access-date=25 February 2025 |publisher=Government of Yukon}}</ref>

There are no [[reptile]]s in Yukon, but a few [[frog]]s such as the [[wood frog]] (''Lithobates sylvaticus'').<ref name="wildlifespecies"/>

== Human geography ==
Yukon is sparsely populated, with 40,232<ref name="2021censusYT"/> inhabitants (as of the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]]) in a territory almost as large as Spain or Sweden. Covering an area of {{cvt|472345.44|km2}} the population density is {{Pop density|40232|472345.44|km2|sqmi|prec=2}}.<ref name="2021censusYT"/> Close to three quarters of the population is in the [[Whitehorse]] area, and the rest live in a number of [[List of communities in Yukon|other communities]]. All except [[Old Crow, Yukon|Old Crow]] are accessible by road.

The capital, Whitehorse (2021 city population 28,201<ref name="2021censuswhitehorse">{{cite web |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table – Whitehorse, City (CY) Yukon [Census subdivision] and Whitehorse Yukon [Census agglomeration] |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Whitehorse&DGUIDlist=2021A00056001009,2021S0504990&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |publisher=Statistics Canada |date=2 August 2024 |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref>), is also the largest city with more than 70% of the population; the second largest is [[Dawson City]], (2021 population 1,577<ref name=2021censusmulti>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000260 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Yukon | publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] | date=9 February 2022 | access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref>) which was the capital until 1952.

Traditionally, Yukon was inhabited by nomadic [[Athabaskan languages|Athapaskan]]-speaking [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] people who had established extensive trading networks with the Pacific Coast [[Tlingit]]. The interior people traded [[copper]], furs and meat for coastal products such as [[eulachon]] oil. About 20% of the Yukon population is of [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]] origin.

There is no [[Inuit]] population in Yukon, although there was a population along the [[Arctic Ocean]] coast within historic times. The Inuit were decimated by disease and disappeared in the 19th century. In 1984, the [[Government of Canada]] included the Yukon North Slope within the [[Inuvialuit Settlement Region]] under the auspices of the [[Inuvialuit]].<ref name="Berkes">{{cite book|last=Berkes|first=Fikret |author2=Rob Huebert |author3=Helen Fast |author4=Alan Diduck |author5=Micheline Manseau |others=Arctic Institute of North America|title=Breaking Ice: Renewable Resource and Ocean Management in the Canadian North|publisher=University of Calgary Press|year=2005|page=95|isbn=1-55238-159-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKt--FmDOMAC&q=%22Inuvialuit+Settlement+Region%22&pg=PA95}}</ref>

The following table, sorted alphabetically presents the population of most [[List of communities in Yukon|Yukon communities]] as listed by [[Statistics Canada]].

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right;"
|+Population of Yukon communities
!Community
![[Census geographic units of Canada#Census subdivisions|Census subdivision]]<br>type
![[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]]<ref name=2021censusmulti/>
![[2016 Canadian census|2016 census]]<ref name=2016censusmulti>{{cite web|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=60 |title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data |date=28 November 2024 |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref>
![[2011 Canadian census|2011 census]]<ref name=2016censusmulti/>
!% change<br>(2016-2021)
|-
|align=left| [[Beaver Creek, Yukon|Beaver Creek]] || align=left| Settlement || 78 || 93 || 103 || -16.1%
|-
|align=left| [[Burwash Landing]] || align=left| Settlement || 64 || 72 || 95 || -11.1%
|-
|align=left| [[Carcross]]{{efn|name=G}} || align=left| Settlement || 317 || 301 || 289 || 5.3%
|-
|align=left| [[Carcross 4]] || align=left| Self-government || 37 || 35 || 53 || 5.7%
|-
|align=left| [[Carmacks, Yukon|Carmacks]] || align=left| Village || 588 || 493 || 503 || 19.3%
|-
|align=left| [[Champagne and Aishihik First Nations|Champagne Landing 10]] || align=left| Indian settlement || 22 || 20 || 25 || 10.0%
|-
|align=left| [[Dawson City]] || align=left| Town || 1,577 || 1,375 || 1,319 || 14.7%
|-
|align=left| [[Destruction Bay]] || align=left| Settlement || 40 || 55 || 35 || -27.3%
|-
|align=left| [[Faro, Yukon|Faro]] || align=left| Town || 440 || 348 || 344 || 26.4%
|-
|align=left| [[Haines Junction]] || align=left| Village || 688 || 613 || 593 || 12.2%
|-
|align=left| [[Ibex Valley]]{{efn|name=F}} || align=left| Hamlet || 523 || 411 || 346 || 27.3%
|-
|align=left| [[Johnsons Crossing]] || align=left| Settlement || 10 || 10 || 15 || 0.0%
|-
|align=left| [[Keno City|Keno Hill]] || align=left| Settlement || 20 || 20 || 28 || 0.0%
|-
|align=left| [[Lake Laberge 1]] || align=left| Self-government || 24 || 25 || 20 || -4.0%
|-
|align=left| [[Macpherson-Grizzly Valley]] || align=left| Unorganized || 1,540 || 1,245 || 1,072 || 23.7%
|-
|align=left| [[Marsh Lake]]{{efn|name=F|Part of the [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census agglomerations|census agglomeration]] of Whitehorse}} || align=left| Unorganized || 746 || 696 || 619 || 7.2%
|-
|align=left| [[Mayo, Yukon|Mayo]] || align=left| Village || 188 || 200 || 226 || -6.0%
|-
|align=left| [[Mount Lorne]]{{efn|name=F}} || align=left| Hamlet || 468 || 437 || 408 || 7.1%
|-
|align=left| [[Old Crow]] || align=left| Settlement || 236 || 221 || 245 || 6.8%
|-
|align=left| [[Pelly Crossing]] || align=left| Settlement || 316 || 353 || 336 || -10.5%
|-
|align=left| [[Ross River, Yukon|Ross River]] || align=left| Settlement || 355 || 293 || 352 || 21.2%
|-
|align=left| [[Stewart Crossing]] || align=left| Settlement || 10 || 17 || 25 || -41.2%
|-
|align=left| [[Swift River, Yukon|Swift River]] || align=left| Settlement || 5 || 0 || 0 || &nbsp;
|-
|align=left| [[Tagish]] || align=left| Settlement || 311 || 249 || 391 || 24.9%
|-
|align=left| [[Teslin, Yukon|Teslin]]{{efn|name=G|Includes both the community and the adjoining [[Indian reserve|reserve]]}} || align=left| Village || 239 || 255 || 122 || -6.3%
|-
|align=left| [[Teslin, Yukon|Teslin Post 13]] || align=left| Self-government || 19 || 30 || 138 || -36.7%
|-
|align=left| [[Two Mile and Two and One-Half Mile Village]] || align=left| Indian settlement<br>Dissolved census subdivision || 162 || &nbsp; || 203 || &nbsp;
|-
|align=left| [[Upper Liard]] || align=left| Settlement || 130 || 125 || 132 || 4.0%
|-
|align=left| [[Watson Lake, Yukon|Watson Lake]] || align=left| Town || 1,133 || 1,083 || 802 || 4.6%
|-
|align=left| [[Whitehorse]]<ref name="2021censuswhitehorse"/><ref name="2016censuswhitehorse"/> || align=left| [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census agglomerations|Census agglomeration]] || 31,913 || 28,225 || 26,028 || 13.1%
|-
|align=left| [[Whitehorse]]<ref name="2021censuswhitehorse"/><ref name="2016censuswhitehorse">{{cite web|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6001009&Geo2=CMACA&Code2=990&SearchText=Whitehorse&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census Whitehorse, City [Census subdivision], Yukon and Whitehorse [Census agglomeration], Yukon |date=12 July 2024 |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref> || align=left| City || 28,201 || 25,085 || 23,276 || 12.4%
|-
|align=left| [[Whitehorse, Unorganized]] || align=left| Unorganized || 411 || 326 || 287 || 26.1%
|-
|align=left| [[Unorganized Yukon|Yukon, Unorganized]] || align=left| Unorganized || 1,496 || 1,388 || 1,495 || 7.8%
|-
|align=left colspan=2| Total Yukon{{efn|Figures from the Whitehorse [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census agglomerations|census agglomeration]] are included separately}} || 40,394 || 35,874 || 33,897 || 12.1%
|}

== Natural resources ==
Yukon has abundant mineral resources and [[mining]] was the mainstay of the economy until recently. Abundant [[gold]] was found in the [[Klondike, Yukon|Klondike region]] leading to the [[Klondike Gold Rush]] of 1898. [[Placer mining|Placer]] gold is found in many streams and rivers, and there is an active placer mining industry in the Klondike and many other parts of Yukon to this day.

Other minerals that have been actively mined include [[copper]] in the [[Whitehorse]] area, [[lead]] and [[zinc]] in [[Faro, Yukon|Faro]], [[silver]], [[zinc]] and [[lead]] in the [[Mayo, Yukon|Mayo]] / [[Keno City]] area, [[asbestos]] in [[Clinton Creek]], and copper, gold, and coal in the [[Carmacks, Yukon|Carmacks]] area. The world's largest known deposit of [[tungsten]] is in the [[Macmillan Pass]] area in the [[Mackenzie Mountains]] near the [[Northwest Territories]] border. Non-metallic minerals mined have included [[jade]] and [[Baryte|barite]]. [[Lazulite]], a semi-precious [[gemstone]] and the territories official gemstone, occurs in northern Yukon, about {{cvt|32|km}} south of the [[Beaufort Sea]].<ref name=emblems/>

The [[fur trade]] was very important to the economy of [[Indigenous peoples in Yukon]], but low prices and the impact of the [[animal rights movement]] has devastated the traditional economy.

There are four [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] [[List of generating stations in Yukon|generating stations]] in Yukon. Three operated by [[Yukon Energy]]; one at [[Aishihik Lake]], one at Mayo and a third at what used to be the [[White Horse Rapids]] that were submerged by the damming of Yukon River to create [[Schwatka Lake]] near Whitehorse. The fourth is operated by [[ATCO|Yukon Electrical]] at [[Fish Lake (Yukon)|Fish Lake]]

While Yukon is mostly covered with forests, most of the trees are small and take a long time to grow and regenerate because of the dry cold climate. There is a considerable amount of small scale [[logging]], but the only area that can sustain industrial forestry is in the southeast with its wetter climate. However, distance from markets and fluctuating prices have resulted in a boom-and-bust industry.

A small amount of [[natural gas]] is currently produced in the southeast, but little exploration has been done in other parts of the Yukon. It is believed that there are abundant natural gas fields in the Eagle Plains area along the [[Dempster Highway]] and possibly in the Whitehorse area, but distance from [[pipeline]]s has hampered exploration.

== Environmental issues ==
[[Climate change]] is affecting the north more than other parts of the world and Yukon is no exception.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Summary |url=https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/energy/Climate-change/pdf/CCCR_ExecSumm-EN-040419-FINAL.pdf |website=Canada's Changing Climate Report |author1=Government of Canada |access-date=8 November 2019 |ref=ClimateChangeReportExec}}</ref> While residents might welcome warmer temperatures, the ultimate effects are not known. Higher temperatures would mean more [[evaporation]] and drying out an already dry climate, resulting in more [[Wildfire|forest fires]] and reducing the biological productivity of [[Taiga|boreal forest]]s, whose growth is limited more by lack of moisture than temperature. Also glaciers are likely to melt, and permafrost likely to thaw.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Government of Canada |title=Changes in Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Across Canada |url=https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/sites/www.nrcan.gc.ca/files/energy/Climate-change/pdf/CCCR-Chapter5-ChangesInSnowIcePermafrostAcrossCanada.pdf |website=Canada's Changing Climate Report |access-date=8 November 2019 |ref=aClimateChangeReportIce |pages=224, 234}}</ref>

Yukon is also the recipient of airborne pollutants from other parts of the world, especially [[persistent organic pollutant]]s. Consumption of the liver of certain wild animals and fish is no longer recommended because of these.

Locally, [[mine reclamation]] and dealing with mine [[tailings]] that cause [[acid mine drainage]] left over from [[mine closure]]s is a major problem and is likely to cost hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up.

In an effort to encourage natural resource exploration, the previous (2002–2011) [[Yukon Party]] government led by [[Dennis Fentie]] has suspended the application of the Protected Areas Strategy (established by a previous [[Yukon New Democratic Party]] government) and has indicated its intention of not creating additional protected areas or parks.

The [[Gwichʼin]] people of [[Old Crow, Yukon|Old Crow]] are dependent on the [[Porcupine caribou]] herd for food and clothing, as are others in the Yukon. The Porcupine caribou herd migrates to the coastal plain in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]] (ANWR) in [[Alaska]] to give birth. That herd may be seriously threatened by [[oil well|oil-drilling]] in the ANWR.

==See also==
* [[Geology of Yukon]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*A.W.F. Banfield (1974). ''The Mammals of Canada''. University of Toronto Press. {{ISBN|0-8020-2137-9}}
*Ken S. Coates and William R. Morrison (1988). ''Land of the Midnight Sun: A History of the Yukon''. Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton. {{ISBN|0-88830-331-9}}
*William J. Cody (1996). ''Flora of the Yukon Territory''. NRC Research Press, Ottawa. {{ISBN|0-660-16406-X}} (Hardcover), {{ISBN|0-660-15898-1}} (Softcover).
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051223213228/http://ecoinfo.ec.gc.ca/ecozones/ecozones_e.cfm Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region Ecozones and Ecoregions]
*[http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html Environment Canada, ''Canadian Climate Normals or Averages 1971-2000'']
*Pamela H. Sinclair, Wendy A. Nixon, Cameron D. Eckert, and Nancy L. Hughes, Eds. (2003). ''Birds of the Yukon Territory''. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver, British Columbia. {{ISBN|0-7748-1012-2}}.
*[http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/home/index.cfm Statistics Canada, ''2001 Census''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227125053/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/home/index.cfm |date=27 February 2021 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051210190220/http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/soe.html Yukon Department of the Environment, ''Yukon State of the Environment Reports''], various years (1995–2002)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051027141939/http://www.geology.gov.yk.ca/publications/openfile/2002/of2002_8d_geoprocess_file/documents/general/userguide.pdf Yukon Geological Survey, ''Yukon Geoprocess File User Guide''] ([[PDF]] file, 1.2MB)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051103091051/http://www.gov.yk.ca/depts/eco/stats/sannual.html Yukon Bureau of Statistics, Population Report, June 2005]
*[https://archive.today/20121127040627/http://www.gov.yk.ca/depts/eco/stats/facts/ Yukon Bureau of Statistics, Yukon Fact Sheet 2003]

==External links==
{{Portal|Geography|Canada}}
* [https://yukon.ca/en/ecoregions-yukon-territory Ecoregions of the Yukon Territory]
* [https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Geological-Framework-of-the-Yukon-Territory/413d12ef4da40cda71de20acfc8d84b0adc75747 The Geological Framework of the Yukon Territory]
* [https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects/standard/environment/elc/2017-map Terrestrial ecozones and ecoprovinces of Canada]
** [https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/16-201-x/2021001/sec-1/m-c/m-c-1.1-eng.htm Map 1.1 Ecozones, ecoprovinces and marine ecoregions of Canada]

{{Canada Geography}}

[[Category:Geography of Yukon| ]]