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You are here: Home / Geography / What Is the Longest River In Canada and Who Is the Mackenzie River In the Northwest Territories Named After?

What Is the Longest River In Canada and Who Is the Mackenzie River In the Northwest Territories Named After?

February 23, 2020 by Karen Hill

The Mackenzie River, in the Northwest Territories, is 2,635 miles (4,241 km) long, almost 300 miles longer than the Mississippi River in the United States.

It is named for the explorer Alexander Mackenzie, who was the first person to cross Canada and reach the Pacific in 1793.

Alexander Mackenzie traveled the river while trying to reach the Pacific Ocean in 1789.

The large delta of the Mackenzie River provides habitat for migrating Snow Geese, and the estuary is a popular birthing area for Beluga whales.

Three of the world’s 10 largest islands are in Canada: Baffin Island, Ellesmere Island, and Victoria Island.

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Filed Under: Geography

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

Previous Post: « What Is the Highest Mountain In Canada and How Tall Is Mount Logan In the Southwestern Yukon Near Alaska?
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