Inuvik is located in the Northwest Territories, near the coast of the Beaufort Sea, west of 1100km northwest of Yellowknife and north of Tuktoyaktuk. Inuvik is situated on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River Delta. The absolute location is latitude 68°, and longitude 133E, the elevation of Inuvik is 168 meters. The town of Inuvik was proclaimed the first planned town north of the Arctic Circle in 1958. Built by the government on the permafrost of the north, the town was built to be the administration center of the north. Since this time many people have moved to the area and it has become a major transportation and service center of the Western Arctic. Located in the Arctic tundra region most of the land remains frozen year round. Only the top layer thaws during the short summer, therefore vegetation is very limited, with only short-rooted plants, lichens and shrubs able to grow there. The landscape is desolate and barren, with mountains, plains, rivers and rugged coastline creating some fascinating scenery.