Alert - Definition and Overview

Alert is the northernmost permanent settlement in the world. It is located at 82°28′N, 62°30′W, on the northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island on the shore of the Lincoln Sea, in the territory of Nunavut in Canada.

Alert had 5 inhabitants in 2001. It is a Canadian Forces station, an Environment Canada weather station, and an atmosphere monitoring laboratory.

The rugged terrain of the settlement is surrounded by hills and valleys. The shore is composed primarily of slate and shale, and the sea is covered with pack ice year-round.

Sir George Nares was the first to reach the northern end of Ellesmere Island; he arrived in the H.M.S. Alert in 1875–1876. The weather station was established in 1950, and the military base in 1958.

Other settlements: Eureka, Grise Fiord.

External links

• The Arctic Adventures of Flat Stanley (http://flatstanley.enoreo.on.ca/alert-nunavut.htm): Flat Stanley traveled all the way to Alert from Toronto as part of a fourth-grade class project.
• Climate information (http://www.grc.k12.nf.ca/climatecanada/alert.htm)
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Alert, Nunavut (http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000130)
• Map of Nunavut showing location of Alert (http://www.athropolis.com/graphics/nunavut-game-2.gif)

See also

• Northernmost settlements
• Awake