Yukon

This article is about Yukon Territory in Canada. See Yukon (disambiguation) for other uses.

Economy

The territory's historical major industry is mining, including lead, zinc, silver, gold, asbestos and copper. Indeed, the territory owes its existence to the famous Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s. Having acquired the land from the Hudson's Bay Company in 1870, the Canadian government divided the territory off of the Northwest Territories in 1898 to fill the need for local government created by the influx of prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Related Topics:
Mining - Lead - Zinc - Silver - Gold - Asbestos - Copper - Klondike Gold Rush - 1890s - Hudson's Bay Company - 1870 - Northwest Territories - 1898

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thousands of these prospectors, led by the chance at gold, flooded the area, creating a colourful period recorded by authors such as Robert W. Service and Jack London. (See also Royal Canadian Mounted Police.) The memory of this period, as well as the territory's scenic wonders and outdoor recreation opportunities, makes tourism the second most important industry.

Related Topics:
Robert W. Service - Jack London - Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Tourism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Manufacturing, including furniture, clothing, and handicrafts, follows in importance, along with hydroelectricity. The traditional industries of trapping and fishing have declined.

Related Topics:
Hydroelectricity - Trapping - Fishing

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, the government sector is by far the biggest employer in the territory, directly employing approximately 5,000 out of a labour force of 12,500.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~