28 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



XORTII-WEST TERRITORIES. 



This extensive and valuable region, though yet not erected into pro- 

 vinces, being the great heritage of Canada, and the future home of mil- 

 lions of immigrants, deserves mention in speaking of the confederation. 

 The territories include all the British possessions on the northern part 

 of the American continent outside of those provinces named. The area 

 is estimated at the enormous figure of 2,750,000 square miles. Till 1870 

 this region was known as the Hudson Bay Territory, from Henry Hud- 

 son, who discovered the Bay in 1610, and perished on its shores. Till 

 1870, when the country became part of the Dominion of Canada, it was 

 governed by the Hudson Bay company. There are numerous lakes and 

 rivers in the territory, the principal rivers being the Nelson, Severn, 

 Abbitibbi, East Main and Great Whale, all flowing into the Hudson's 

 Bay ; the Mackenzie, Coppermine, and Great Fish, flowing into the Arctic 

 Ocean; the Saskatchewan, Assiniboine and Red River, falling into Lake 

 Winnipeg, and the Koksoak and Natwatkaine, into Hudson's Straits. 

 The Mackenzie, one of the greatest rivers in the world, is 2,500 miles 

 long, and flows through a fertile and finely wooded country and skirted 

 by metalliferous hills] and coal measures. The country is rich in the 

 various minerals, and contains wide areas of pine. In the far north are 

 long dreary stretches of muskeg. The agricultural capabilities of at least 

 60,000 square miles, are great. The Saskatchewan country is of unri- 

 valled fertility, and is estimated to be capable of supporting 90,000,000 

 of people. The winters are severe, but in the delightful summers abun- 

 dant crops of roots, grain and fruits are produced. The Canada Pacific 

 runs through the Saskatchewan country, and various other railroads are 

 projected through the territories. Settlers and cattle ranchers flock 

 every year into the region. 



