WORD
The Mackenzie River, also known as Deh-Cho in Slavey (literally big river), Kuukpak in Inuvialuktun (literally great river), and Fleuve (de) Mackenzie in French, winds through the Canadian boreal forest. It constitutes part of Canada's longest river system alongside the Slave, Peace, and Finlay rivers and holds the second largest drainage basin in North America, following the Mississippi. Flowing 1,738 kilometers (1,080 miles) north-northwest from Great Slave Lake to the Arctic Ocean, the Mackenzie River shapes a vast and sparsely populated expanse of forest and tundra within the Northwest Territories of Canada. While primarily contained within the Northwest Territories, its numerous tributaries extend into five other Canadian provinces and territories. With a basin that drains about 20 percent of Canada, it stands as the largest river contributing to the Arctic from North America, spanning a total length of 4,241 kilometers (2,635 miles) and ranking thirteenth among the world's longest river systems. Originating from Thutade Lake in the Northern Interior of British Columbia, the Mackenzie valley is thought to have been a pathway for prehistoric migration from Asia to North America over 10,000 years ago, though evidence remains scarce. Indigenous groups like the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, and others have resided along its banks for millennia. Early European explorers utilized the river as a vital entry point into Canada's northern interior. Economic development along the river has been constrained. In the 19th century, fur trading thrived but was hampered by severe weather conditions. The 1920s discovery of oil in Norman Wells initiated an industrial era in the Mackenzie valley. Metallic minerals like uranium, gold, lead, and zinc have been discovered along its eastern and southern perimeters. Agriculture, particularly in the Peace River region, remains a significant presence. Various tributaries and headwaters have been tapped for hydroelectricity generation, flood control, and irrigation purposes.
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