Canadian Arctic exploration dates back thousand of years, although the majority of Arctic exploration occured during the past 500 years by European explorers. Initial explorers of the Canadian Arctic were the Inuit, almost 18000 years ago, and then the Vikings as early as 850AD. Early Europeans began to explore the region around 1500, and continued their exploration for hundreds of years. Today, modern exploration still takes place, in the name of scientific research, military usage, and small group exploration and tourism.
It was during the 16th century that Europe began to investigate the possibility of a passage in the Northwest that would offer a safer sea route to the Orient. While searching for the Northwest Passage, the Canadian Arctic began to take shape through the discoveries of new land and waterways by European explorers, and into the modern era.
As the much of historic Arctic exploration was completed by sea, this section especially focuses on the navel aspect of Arctic exploration, and the explorers who attempted them. As well, the early Arctic experience and modern exploration is reviewed.
Exploration and the Canadian Arctic