In addition to being the capital of the Canadian Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is actually the only city in the province. The city really began to develop as a mining town for gold, uranium and silver, although First Nations peoples had occupied the area prior to this development. Tourists make the journey north to Yellowknife to participate in recreation around the Great Slave Lake, try adventurous winter activities like dog-sledding, and also to view the Aurora Borealis (northern lights), which are visible due to the city's proximity to the Arctic Circle.
