The Yukon is a territory in northwestern Canada , characterized by rugged mountains and high plateaus. Its capital is Whitehorse . The territory is bordered by the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and Alaska, extending north of the Arctic Circle to the Beaufort Sea . Historically known for the Klondike gold rush of the late 1890s, Yukon remains a sparsely populated wilderness. The Yukon River, a major North American waterway, flows through the territory and into Alaska before reaching the Bering Sea . The territory's economy is significantly influenced by mining and tourism, with its vast, unspoiled landscapes attracting visitors.

Where is the Yukon located in Canada?

Yukon is a territory located in the northwestern part of Canada. It is bordered by the Northwest Territories to the east, British Columbia to the south, and Alaska (USA) to the west. The territory extends north of the Arctic Circle to the Beaufort Sea. Its capital city is Whitehorse. The Yukon River, a major North American river, flows through the territory and into Alaska.

What is the capital city of Yukon?

The capital city of Yukon, a territory in northwestern Canada, is Whitehorse . Whitehorse is situated on the Yukon (Lewes) River and serves as the territory's primary transportation and administrative center. It was founded during the Klondike Gold Rush and officially became the capital in 1952.

What kind of climate does Yukon have?

Yukon has a subarctic climate characterized by short, relatively warm summers and long, bitterly cold winters. While summer days are long, especially above the Arctic Circle, temperatures can reach the mid-90s F (about 35 °C) and drop below -60s F (about -50 °C) in winter. The region experiences light precipitation, averaging around 10 inches (250 mm) annually in Whitehorse. The lowest temperature officially recorded in North America, -81 °F (-63 °C), occurred in Snag, Yukon, in 1947.

What are some natural features and wildlife found in Yukon?

Yukon, a territory in northwestern Canada, is characterized by rugged mountains and high plateaus. Natural features include extensive ice fields in Kluane National Park and Reserve, part of the St. Elias Mountains, which contain Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak. The Yukon River, a major North American waterway, flows through the territory, with tributaries like the Pelly and Klondike rivers. Wildlife is abundant, with significant populations of grizzly bears and Dall sheep found in Kluane National Park. Other animals include moose, mountain goats, deer, wolves, black bears, caribou, and wolverines. The forested valleys and higher elevations support a diverse range of fauna.

Why is the Yukon important in Canadian history?

The Yukon's importance in Canadian history is primarily linked to the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s. This discovery of gold in Bonanza Creek led to a massive influx of prospectors, transforming the settlement of Dawson into a city of over 30,000 people at its peak. The gold rush spurred the development of transportation infrastructure, including the White Pass and Yukon Route railway, and led to the Yukon being separated from the Northwest Territories and granted its own territorial status in 1898. While the boom was short-lived, it cemented the Yukon's place in Canadian lore and history.

Yukon

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

Map of Yukon Territory in northwestern Canada, showing major cities and towns including the provincial capital, Whitehorse, as well as Dawson, Watson Lake, and Old Crow. The map outlines Yukon's borders with Alaska, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, and includes rivers, lakes, and a locator inset showing Yukon's position within Canada.

Five Finger Rapids on the upper Yukon River, Yukon, Can.

Map of Yukon, Canada, highlighting major physical features such as the Rocky Mountains, Ogilvie Mountains, and Peel River, as well as national parks like Ivvavik and Kluane. The map shows international boundaries with Alaska and provincial boundaries with British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. An inset locator map of Canada shows Yukon's position in the northwest of the country.

Map of Canada showing provincial and territorial boundaries, major cities, and surrounding bodies of water, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. The map labels provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as territories like Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. An inset locator map in the upper right highlights Canada's position in North America.

Mount St. Elias, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon-U.S. border.

Cotton grass (Eriophorum) and mosses in the Arctic tundra, northern Yukon, Can.

Aerial view of Dawson City on the banks of the Yukon River in Canada, surrounded by forested hills and mountains.

At a Glance

Yukon summary

Yukon

territory, Canada

Also known as: Yukon Territory

Written by

Kenneth John Rea

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Nov. 14, 2026 •History

News •

Parks Canada to shut down 3 northern warden detachments, centralize in Yellowknife • Nov. 11, 2026, 12:06 PM ET (CBC)

Mixed reaction in Yukon to the latest federal budget • Nov. 10, 2026, 8:09 PM ET (CBC)

Dawson City business to offer some primary health care services • Nov. 10, 2026, 6:00 AM ET (CBC)

City of Whitehorse, Yukon gov't tout plan to reduce risk of blackouts this winter • Nov. 9, 2026, 3:46 PM ET (CBC)

Boys' competitive gymnastics program back in the Yukon after 15 years • Nov. 7, 2026, 8:00 AM ET (CBC)

Map of northern North America highlighting the Yukon territory in northwestern Canada, with its capital Whitehorse labeled. The map also shows surrounding regions, including Alaska to the west, the rest of Canada, the United States, Greenland, and major bodies of water such as the Arctic Ocean and Hudson Bay. — Yukon

Yukon, territory of northwestern Canada, an area of rugged mountains and high plateaus. It is bounded by the Northwest Territories to the east, by British Columbia to the south, and by the U.S. state of Alaska to the west, and it extends northward above the Arctic Circle to the Beaufort Sea. The capital is Whitehorse.

The mineral wealth of Yukon has been known since the famous Klondike gold rush of the later 1890s, but the combination of an Arctic climate and remoteness from markets has limited the economic exploitation of such resources and the development of modern settlement. Instead, the territory remains among the few frontiers on the North American continent, a sparsely populated and largely unspoiled wilderness. Area 186,272 square miles (482,443 square km). Pop. (2021) 40,232; (2025 est.) 48,278.

Quick Facts

See article: flag of Yukon

Capital:: Whitehorse

Population:: (2021) 40,232; (2025 est.) 48,278

Date Of Admission:: 1898

Territorial Motto:: none

Territorial Flower:: fireweed