Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories are a large expanse in the Canadian wilderness named in relation to its location of Rupert's Land. The area is divided into many regions, and was originally claimed by Great Britain. However, Oregon eventually claimed the western portion as extension of the Columbia territory, especially after the purchase of the Alaska Territory from Russia. At the independence of the Kingdom of Canada, Great Britain gifted their claim to Canada, as well as any controversy from Oregon.
Climate
The climate of the Northwest territories has a vast range of climates. The summers are cool, but short, being very far north. Winters drop down very low in temperature, with the subarctic regions being the most extreme.
Fauna & Flora
The territory contains a great variety of animals and plants. The wildlife has adapted to some of the most extreme of winter conditions.
History
The land was first settled by beaver fur traders of British and French descent. America had the opportunity of annexing Upper and Lower Canada in 1818 following the War of the North. However, King Augustus II elected not to do so in order to maintain relations with Great Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
Oregon initially only claimed as far north as the southernmost of Russian America. However, with the acquisition of Alaska, Oregon's government sought the territory to unite with Alaska. With the creation of the Kingdom of Canada, it inherited the British claims over the area. A treaty was signed in 1869, formally granting Oregon the western portion of the territory in exchange for financial compensation with the rest going to Canada.
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