Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

SS Klondike, the steam-powered sternwheeler, on the route between Whitehorse and Dawson City
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SS_Klondike.jpg
Author: Dlogic


Whitehorse is the capital and largest city in Yukon, Canada. As with most of the cities in the northern territories of Canada, it was incorporated fairly recently, in the mid 20th century. The city covers 416.54 sq km (160.83 sq mi) and has a population of 23,000 people (2012 estimate). It is between 670 m to 1,702 m (2,200 ft to 5,584 ft) above sea level.

Whitehorse was named, not after the animal, but rather the White Horse Rapids, which take the form of the mane of a white horse. It occupies the shores of the Yukon River which flows from British Columbia, through the Yukon into the Bering Sea in Alaska.

Archaeological evidence points to human presence in the Whitehorse area going back a few thousand years. The earliest European presence in the area began in 1896, with the discovery of gold in the Klondike, which brought an influx of prospectors. Although the city was only incorporated in 1951, a settlement has been established by the turn of the 20th century. To transport the gold ore, tram lines were built.

View of Whitehorse with the Yukon River
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yukon_River_at_Whitehorse_-a.jpg
Author: Gareth Sloan


Miles Canyon, Whitehorse
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Miles_Canyon_Whitehorse.jpg
Author: Aconcagua

Visiting Whitehorse

The Whitehorse International Airport (YXY) receives flights from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver as well as from smaller cities such as Dawson City, Inuvik and Old Crow. There are also seasonal flights from Fairbanks, Alaska.

Places of Interest in Whitehorse

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