The Baffin Region is the largest and the most heavily populated part of Nunavut. Iqaluit, the largest community (pop 4,800) and the capital, is here. The majority of the population, 85 % is Inuit. Of the 25 communities in Nunavut, 13 are in the Baffin Region. There are two national parks, Ayuittaq located between the communities of Broughton and Pangnirtung and Ellsmere Island in the High Arctic.

Inhabited by the Inuit and their ancestors, (pre Dorset, Dorset and Thule culture people) since 2000 BC, the first European to visit the region was Sir Martin Frobisher. Other explorers followed, searching for the Northwest Passage. By the early 1800's the explorers were replaced by whalers hunting the bowhead whale. The whalers were followed by fur traders, missionairies and the RCMP. By the 1960's most Inuit had moved to permanent communities established by the government where schools, health and social services were available.