The Northwest Territories is a federal-Canadian territory. With a land mass of approximately 1.14 million sq.km, and population close to 45,000, it is the second largest, and most populous, of the three Canadian territories. Since 1967, Yellowknife has been the capital of the Northwest Territories. The territories entered the Canadian Confederation on July 15, 1870. Current borders, however, were formed in 1999, with the creation of Nunavut. The Northwest Territories are bordered by Nunavut and Yukon, the other two Canadian territories. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, border the territory to the south.

Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake, and the Mackenzie River, are a few of the geographical features which are prominently known in the territory. The Canyons of Nahanni National Park Reserve is also located in the territory and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Prince Patrick Island, Victoria Island, Borden and Banks Islands, also border the Yukon territory, and fall within the Northwest Territories region.

The Northwest Territories and Nunavut are two Canadian jurisdictions which are predominantly comprised of Aboriginal peoples, with approximately 50.5% of the population belonging to these groups.

Geological resources in the territory include gold, natural gas, diamonds, and petroleum. In 2009, the Northwest Territories had the highest GDP of all Canadian provinces, with income levels of approximately C$76,000 per household. Several mines were lost, however, and between 2013-2014, nearly 1200 mining jobs were lost in the territory. Tourism also contributes to the province’s economy, namely during the winter season, where many international visitors go to Yellowknife to watch aurora borealis.

As a territory, the Northwest Territories has fewer rights and privileges than a province.  In the larger context of Canada, the Northwest Territories is a single Senate division and a single House of Commons electoral district.

Pipelines, mining, employment, commodities future trading, and information about the government, both within the country and internationally, are topics which are covered by the National Law Review, as it relates to the Northwest Territories. Visitors can find information which affects the province, neighboring provinces, international affairs, and government regulations and legislation, when visiting NLR.