Baffin Island, also known as Baffin Land, is the largest island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is named after the English navigator and explorer William Baffin.
Baffin Island is probably Helluland, as the Vikings called it. There is no evidence that they established settlements in the inhospitable land. However, it was probably a transit and trading station on the sea voyage from the Greenlandic western settlement to Labrador and on to Newfoundland.
Skiing, snowmobiling, climbing and boating tourism is gradually taking hold on Baffin Island. Since 2005, the Alianait Arts Festival has been held annually in Iqaluit at the end of June with international and local participation. Its main purpose is to showcase Inuit music and art, and it is promoted as an alcohol-free and family-friendly festival.